DA seeks gag order in case against man accused of killing Pittsburgh police officer

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said his office has filed for a gag order in the case of a man accused in the July murder of an off-duty Pittsburgh police officer.

The DA’s office has charged Christian Bey, 30, of Wilkinsburg with homicide and three firearms violations in connection with the July 14 shooting of Officer Calvin Hall, 36, in Homewood. Hall died three days later.

Zappala said the gag order is intended to limit public comment by officials about the case and preserve the county’s ability to seat an impartial jury consisting of county residents. The DA’s office is seeking the death penalty.

The DA said one of the reasons for seeking the order, which was filed Tuesday, was an interview that attorney Carmen Robinson, who represents Bey, gave to KDKA Radio in August.

Robinson could not be reached for comment.

”There was too much discussion about the case,” he said. “Obviously, the defendant is innocent until he is proven guilty. We don’t want to compromise that or deal with juries from outside of Allegheny County.”

Bey is being held without bail in the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh.