Gag Order in Ware Shoals-Jill Moore-Jane Blackwell Case

Ware Shoals, SC (TLS). A Greenwood County court has issued a gag order which will amount to a total news blackout in the Jill Moore-Jane Blackwell-Ware Shoals High School cheerleader sex scandal. The order comes in the wake of the airing of a videotape on a local TV station, showing Jill Moore's interrogation by Greenwood County Sheriff's officials.

The content of the portion of the video that was shown on TV directly involves former Ware Shoals High School principal Jane Blackwell and what she may have known about the activities of former cheerleader coach Jill Moore.

Moore was charged with giving alcohol and cigarettes to minors and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

But it was allegations of sexual misconduct that led to the investigation into Moore's activities, which eventually led to a charge of obstruction brought against Blackwell.

State's attorney Jerry Peace stated that the airing of the video that shows law enforcement interrogation of Moore severely compromises the case and that a change in venue may be necessary. In an effort to drastically reduce the likelihood of further compromises, the Court issued the gag order.

This is not the first time that a local television station became part of this story in Ware Shoals. When Principal Jane Blackwell gave testimony before the Ware Shoals School Board, a local TV station refused to shut off its cameras during the testimony as requested. This led to the meeting going behind closed doors, which angered the 200 or so attendees who were then deprived of hearing Blackwell's testimony.

With today's gag order, a television station or a news source that compromises the integrity of the case will result in legal action by the court.