Judge Issues Ligertown Gag Order

Sixth District Magistrate Mark Beebe has ordered Bannock County employees to not discuss the Ligertown case with the news media.

The gag order was issued Thursday so Ligertown operators Robert Fieber and Dotti Martin could get a fair trial, Beebe said.

The couple is charged with animal cruelty, zoning violations, possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia and possessing protected wildlife. The 107 misdemeanor charges were filed after 19 African lions were killed after some escaped from their game farm east of Lava Hot Springs in late September.

A jury trial is scheduled for Jan. 22.