udge will hear argument about closing hearing in homicide case

The judge in the trial of the man accused of killing a Blaine County sheriff's deputy will hear arguments next week on whether a an upcoming hearing in the case should be closed to the public.

Lawyers for Lawrence Dean Jackson Jr. in February asked District Judge John McKeon to close a hearing next month in which they will argue that evidence against Jackson should be suppressed because it was obtained in violation of his Miranda rights. The lawyers said that if the hearing is open, media coverage could taint the potential jury pool and jeopardize their client's right to a fair trial.

Jackson,...