Marines' lawyers reportedly told to keep quiet

SAN DIEGO - A San Diego newspaper says defense attorneys - including one from Gainesville - representing Marines accused of murdering an Iraqi civilian are being strongly advised not to talk about an upcoming trip to Iraq.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Marine Corps says the lawyers should keep mum about the evidence-gathering trip, if they want to be included in it.

Rich Brannon of Gainesville is among those representing eight Marines from a San Diego base charged in the case.

Brannon is not commenting, according to the paper, but it says others confirm receiving a message about not sharing details of the trip. The Marine Corps will neither confirm nor deny issuing such a directive.