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Judge loosens gag order in Salvation Army collapse case

A Philadelphia judge has loosened - but not lifted - an order barring comment from lawyers and witnesses in the criminal trial over last year's deadly collapse of a Salvation Army thrift store in Center City.

A Philadelphia judge has loosened - but not lifted - an order barring comment from lawyers and witnesses in the criminal trial over last year's deadly collapse of a Salvation Army thrift store in Center City.

Rather than a "blanket order" prohibiting any out-of-court comments to reporters, requested by the District Attorney's Office, Common Pleas Court Judge Glenn B. Bronson said Monday that he would rely on the section of the American Bar Association's professional code for lawyers dealing with trial publicity.

The ABA guideline gives lawyers more latitude to respond publicly to comments made by others about their clients.

Bronson, however, warned prosecutors and lawyers for two men charged criminally in the June 5, 2013, collapse that he would hold in contempt of court anyone who violates the ABA guideline.

"This case cannot be tried in the media; the case must be tried before Philadelphia jurors," Bronson said.

Bronson was recently named to oversee the trial of demolition contractor Griffin Campbell, 50, and heavy-equipment operator Sean Benschop, 43, scheduled for next Sept. 21.

Benschop and Campbell are each charged with six counts of third-degree murder and 13 counts of reckless endangerment. Prosecutors have alleged that the men cut corners to save money, resulting in the collapse of an unsupported four-story wall that flattened the thrift shop at 22d and Market Streets.

On Oct. 14, Campbell's attorney, William D. Hobson, was held in contempt of court and fined $100 by Judge Benjamin Lerner for violating his gag order on the principals.

Hobson was cited for comments he made to Philly.com and the Philadelphia Daily News about civil litigation involving the collapse. Both are owned by the company that owns The Inquirer.

After Lerner assigned the trial to Bronson, Hobson moved to have the gag order lifted.