What are the details in the request to muzzle comments in the Esparto fireworks case?

The Yolo County District Attorney has asked a judge to bar attorneys and witnesses from making public statements about the Esparto fireworks case. A hearing on the request is scheduled for Monday.

Here is the full story: “DA in Esparto fireworks case asks for gag order to stop defense public comments.”

Here are key takeaways:

• Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig filed the motion May 15, arguing a “narrowly tailored Pretrial Publicity Protective Order” is needed because of the gravity of the crimes and intense local and national media interest. Judge Daniel Maguire will hear the request June 1.
• The case stems from a July 1, 2025, warehouse blast in Esparto that killed seven people. Eight people were indicted in April, and five — including Devastating Fireworks owner Kenneth Chee — are charged with seven counts of murder.
• The DA’s request cites comments two defense attorneys made to the San Francisco Standard claiming a recent California Supreme Court ruling, People v. Morris, undermines the murder charges. Prosecutors say those comments “appear to mischaracterize the prosecution and the law.”
• Legal experts say the Morris ruling applies only to first-degree murder, while five Esparto defendants face second-degree murder charges. Defense attorneys dispute that interpretation and plan to fight the gag order.
• The proposed order would also restrict employees of Cal Fire and Cal-OSHA, two state agencies central to the investigation, from publicly discussing the case.