Oklahoma paper challenges judge’s decision to close hearing

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) – An Oklahoma newspaper is challenging a judge’s decision to ban reporters from a hearing in a case of a Muskogee man accused of killing six people, including five children.

An attorney for the Muskogee Phoenix filed a motion to intervene in the case on Tuesday.

A reporter for the paper and two other members of the media were barred from attending a preliminary hearing in the case on Monday.

Jarron Deajon Pridgeon of Muskogee is charged with six counts of first-degree murder.

Attempts to reach District Judge Bret Smith on Tuesday were unsuccessful, but he told a reporter for the Tulsa World he closed the hearing because of a deprived-child matter he was hearing in the case.