Media fighting gag order in case of missing Alabama student

AUBURN, Ala. – Media companies are asking a judge to lift a gag order in the kidnapping case against a man charged in the disappearance of a missing Alabama college student.

Ten companies and organizations representing multiple news outlets filed the request Monday in the case of 29-year-old Ibraheem Yazeed.

Yazeed is charged in the disappearance of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard, the stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris. Blanchard was last seen Oct. 23 in Auburn, Alabama.

The media request says Lee County District Judge Russell Bush’s order banning lawyers and potential witnesses from speaking with reporters about the case is too broad.

The motion says the order could even bar authorities from seeking help in pursuing information about Blanchard’s whereabouts.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Wednesday in Opelika.

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Information from: Opelika-Auburn News, http://www.oanow.com/