Judge cracks down on social media in Savannah Hardin case - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

Judge cracks down on social media in Savannah Hardin case

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ETOWAH COUNTY, AL (WAFF) -

A judge is cracking down on social media attention to the Savannah Hardin case.

A judge issued a gag order, warning prosecutors and defense attorneys not to discuss the murder case, and they have obeyed. However, comments are floating all over Facebook about the case.

Hardin was forced to run as a punishment for eating candy. Her grandmother and step-mother face charges in the case.

A Facebook page was created called "Justice for Savannah Hardin" and has many comments, many of which paint the two women as guilty. In opposition, there is a Facebook page entitled "Justice for Joyce Garrard." This page was pulled down but it had comments about details in the case.

While a judge can't stop people from posting on Facebook who are not part of the case it can still have an effect.

"It can taint a jury and I think any prosecution that's fair, is wanting an unbiased jury, they want a jury that's going to come in listen to the facts, listen to the law and apply both," said Jay Town, Madison County assistant district attorney.

Regardless, the case remains high profile and continues to get attention from both sides.

Copyright 2012 WAFF. All rights reserved.

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