The parents of 17-year-old Chelsea King who was raped and killed by a sex offender have hired an attorney to help keep certain case documents secret.
NBC San Diego and other media outlets have asked the San Diego County Superior Court to lift a gag order barring authorities from discussing the evidence and release records related to search warrants.
Chelsea's parents say they want the records sealed to preserve her dignity. They've hired attorney Pat Swan to argue for suppression of certain documents under victims' rights statutes.
"This action has become necessary in response to efforts by some media outlets to obtain the release of all records related to Chelsea’s death, which runs counter to the King family's wishes to honor their daughter's memory, and to allow the community to heal," said family spokesperson Sara Muller Fraunces.
John Gardner pleaded guilty Friday to the murders of Chelsea and 14-year-old Amber Dubois. Chelsea disappeared in February. Her body was found days later. Amber's remains were found in March, more than a year after she disappeared.
