SAINT JOHN, N.B. – The lawyer for two media outlets says a judge erred when he put a publication ban on the names of people subjected to search warrants in the murder of New Brunswick businessman Richard Oland.

David Coles, representing Brunswick News and the CBC, says there was no evidence to keep the names out of the media.

He told a Court of Queen’s Bench judge in Saint John on Tuesday that the names were previously reported.

“This was a case where media observed the searches and reported on them,” Coles said.

“It brings the court into disrespect with the public when we try to stuff genies back into bottles.”

He said the names can also be accessed by anyone who wants to spend $90 to get the search warrants from the court.

The warrants released last October said police had a suspect in mind.

The documents said the suspect was “experiencing financial hardships” and owed Oland more than $500,000.

Coles is asking the court to lift the publication ban on the names of those whose properties were searched.

He spent much of the morning citing case law that he said supports releasing the names.

Reporters and members of the public were asked to leave the courtroom for about 20 minutes while Coles dealt with information that has been sealed by the courts — such as evidence specific to the crime scene.

The body of 69-year-old Oland was found in his Saint John office on July 7, 2011.

No arrests have been made and Coles said the public wants to know why.