Defense Wants Gag Order In Child Rape Case

A judge is considering a motion to silence the family of an eleven year old girl, who they say was raped by her stepfather.

Defense attorney Michael Harbin says pre-trial publicity will prevent his client, Bob Ingle, from getting a fair trial.

Ingle, a former Chickasaw Police officer, is accused of raping Rebecca McEvoy for more than a year before she was killed in a car crash last January.
Harbin specifically named WKRG in his argument, saying "only one side is getting out," but Harbin declined to do an interview.
During an April 2nd hearing, Harbin and Ingle both entered and exited the courtroom through a backdoor, avoiding the media.

Since her death, Rebecca's family has fought to make sure her case goes to trial despite defense arguments that Ingle has a right to confront his accuser.

"We are sitting here trying to defend our little cousin," said Rhonda Wheelus, who was in court for Monday's hearing. "She doesn't have a voice anymore. We have to be her voice now."

Judge Michael Youngpeter presided over the hearing. Youngpeter said he will make a decision by May 20th.