HUTCHINSON— Reno County District Judge Trish Rose granted a defense motion on Friday for a gag order in the trial of a Hutchinson man charge with first-degree murder.

Brennan Trass, 31, is accused in the shooting death of 24-year-old Jose Morales.

Morales was found on the floor of a residence on Aug. 17 with multiple gunshot wounds. He died later at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

The defense for Trass argued that some reporting in the media, in particular stories in the local newspaper, were both negative and inaccurate and is prejudicial to her client.

Sarah McKinnon wanted the gag order in place to keep attorneys for the state from talking with the media about the facts of the case.

The defense also wanted discovery items from the state, which they say they have not yet received.

These include copies of a 911 call on the day of the shooting and copies of data obtained from any cell phones, which were seized in the case.

They also want any evidence, material or information that would tend to impeach the credibility of any person who the state intends to call as a witness.

The judge granted the defense request on those items, but denied a defense request that the state should provide records of drug or alcohol use of witnesses.

The judge also set a deadline of Feb. 29 for the state to provide those discovery items, however Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton noted that in cases like this, the investigation is on going and that there may be evidence uncovered that comes after that deadline. He says if that happens, they will turn everything over to the defense.

The trial is scheduled for March 22.