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Jessica Ridgeway hearing to remain closed

Posted: 9:54 PM Jan 19, 2013
Reporter: Associated Press

GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) -- A judge is denying the media's requests for access to a key hearing for a teen accused of killing a 10-year-old suburban Denver girl and attacking a jogger.

Judge Stephen Munsinger ruled Friday that the preliminary hearing for Austin Sigg will remain closed to the public to ensure Sigg has a fair trial and to protect the privacy of the alleged victims and their families.

Munsinger had ruled earlier the hearing would be closed so that reports of the hearing wouldn't influence potential jurors. On Friday, he denied requests from prosecutors and media organizations including The Associated Press to reconsider.

Sigg is accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway of Westminster in October and of attacking a jogger in Jessica's neighborhood in May.