Judge denies public access to Jackson hearing

CHINOOK - A judge Tuesday denied a request by the Great Falls Tribune to allow the public to attend a court hearing on whether evidence in the case of accused killer Laurence Jackson Jr. should be suppressed.

The hearing, on whether statements Jackson made after the shooting of Blaine County sheriff's deputy Joshua Rutherford should be admitted at trial, was held later Tuesday afternoon behind closed doors. District Judge John McKeon did not immediately rule on whether to suppress the statements.

In making his ruling not to open the hearing to the public, McKeon said he needed to determine whe...