Saratoga Springs city leaders barred from talking about shooting

City leaders in Saratoga Springs have been barred from talking about or releasing any more information about the shootout there this weekend.

The Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office got a temporary restraining order from a Supreme Court judge Wednesday afternoon, which prohibits Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim, Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino and other public officials from releasing any more information, video or audio, and from commenting on evidence in the case.

Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen says the unprecedented release of information regarding the Sunday morning officer involved shooting has had a chilling effect on witnesses and could taint the jury pool.

Heggen said, “I didn’t want to do this, but felt compelled to ensure the integrity of the investigation and protect the constitutional rights of all involved.”

Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino released the following statement to NewsChannel 13:

“While the District Attorney claims to be seeking to protect Constitutional rights, she has blatantly violated the First Amendment by obtaining a jurisdictionally defective order, without notice to the city, which deprives elected officials of their right to inform the public of profoundly important events unfolding in their city. I have spoken to Mayor Ron Kim and the city intends to fight this in court promptly and vigorously.”