By Andy Furillo
afurillo@sacbee.com
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Steve White today slapped a gag order on the prosecution and defense in the murder trial of former sheriff's deputy Chu Vue that is scheduled to begin next month.
![Chu Vue[1].jpg](http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/Chu%20Vue%5B1%5D.jpg)
White's order came on the request of Deputy District Attorney Eric Kindall. Defense attorneys Donald Masuda, who is representing Chu Vue (photo left), and Matthew Scobel, who is representing co-defendant Lang Vue, did not object to the prosecutor's request.
Trial is scheduled to begin July 21 for Chu Vue, 45, and Lang Vue, 27, who is no relation. They are charged in Oct. 15, 2008 slaying of California correctional officer Steve Lo, 39, who was gunned down in the garage of his south Sacramento home while he was getting ready to go to work.
Police and prosecutors say Lo was having an affair with Chu Vue's wife at the time of his death.
The accused gunmen in the case, Chu Vue's younger brothers Chong Vue, 31, and Gary Vue, 29, will be tried separately.
The gag order will prevent the lawyers from discussing the case with news reporters. Kindall's motion requesting the order was sealed by the judge.
White also granted the prosecutor's request to deny "extended" media coverage of the trial, a ruling mostly aimed at broadcast news outlets. He said he would allow the electronic media and still photographers to take pictures of the defendant's at some point in the early stages of the trial, however.
Kindall opposed the limited allowance granted to the visual journalists, saying "it would be nice to keep the temperature down" in terms of media attention on the case during jury selection.
Call The Bee's Andy Furillo, (916) 321-1141.
Previous coverage:
Sacramento judge reschedules ex-cop's murder trial - Jan. 7, 2010
Suspect in California prison guard's killing is convicted of Minnesota murder - Dec. 12, 2009
Death penalty ruled out in ex-Sacramento deputy's murder trial - Nov. 21, 2009
Fired Sacramento County sheriff's deputy to face murder trial - Sept. 24, 2009
Elaborate scheme to kill correctional officer, judge told - Sept. 23, 2009
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