Judge denies gag order in Silver Comet Trail murder case

<p>A Paulding County judge has refused to issue a gag order in the Silver Comet Trail murder case.</p><p>Superior Court Judge James Osborne denied the defense motion following a Friday hearing.</p><p>Attorneys for defendant Michael William Ledford had asked for the order because of pretrial publicity.</p><p>Ledford, 43, is charged with felony murder in the death of Jennifer Ewing, a 54-year old mother of three. She was killed July 25 while cycling on the Silver Comet Trail.</p><p>Defense attorney Jimmy Berry said media coverage would prejudice the jury pool, and asked the judge to bar those involved in the case from discussing it publicly.</p><p>Assistant District Attorney Anthony Volkodav Jr. said the judge had other options besides a gag order if there were concerns about prejudicial material being released.</p><p>Lawyers for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, WSB-TV and Fox 5 opposed the motion.</p><p>Osborne said lawyers could file motions to have evidence sealed if it might be prejudicial.</p><p>A probable cause hearing in Ledford's case is scheduled for Aug. 24 in Paulding Magistrate Court.</p><p>Ledford, a convicted rapist, was on probation at the time of his arrest last month.</p><p>Ewing often took 50-mile rides on the Silver Comet Trail. Her family called police when she failed to return home after her ride on July 25. Her body was found a day later.</p><p>Authorities have said Ewing fought back against her attacker. Multiple news organization have reported that police focused on Ledford after he suffered wounds below his waist the day of Ewing's attack and then changed his story about how he was injured.</p><p>The Silver Comet Trail begins about 13 miles northwest of Atlanta. It runs 57 miles from Smyrna to the state line along an abandoned freight rail corridor, winding through Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties.</p>