'Gag Order' Given In Ex-Northwestern Prof's Murder Case

CHICAGO, IL — Lawyers in a murder case involving a former Northwestern professor and an Oxford University staffer have been put under a "gag order" by the judge, according to the Chicago Tribune. The order only allows attorneys to talk about the much-publicized case's essential facts or refer to what's on the public record, the report added.

Cook County Judge Charles Burns issued the order on Feb. 14, but he hasn't publicly explained the reasoning behind it, the report stated. The order also hasn't been discussed during court hearings, including at one Friday, the report added.

Wyndham Lathem, 43, and a former associate professor of microbiology at Northwestern, and Adam Warren, a 57-year-old British national, face first-degree murder charges in the brutal stabbing death of Trenton Cornell-Duranleau, Lathem's 26-year-old boyfriend. Cornell-Duranleau was stabbed 70 times on July 27 inside Lathem's high-rise home at the Grand Plaza Apartments in the River North neighborhood. Prosecutors have said the attack was the result of a gruesome sex fantasy that involved murder and suicide.

The case drew national attention when Lathem and Warren went on the run following the stabbing. A nationwide manhunt ensued, and the men finally surrendered in California.

More Patch Coverage:

• Manhunt For Northwestern Professor Wanted In Fatal Stabbing
• Northwestern Professor Wanted: 5 Things We Know About The Brutal Murder Case So Far
• Ex-Northwestern Prof Will Plead Not Guilty To Murder Charge
• Sex Fantasy Of Ex-Northwestern Professor, Oxford Staffer Led To Fatal Stabbing
• Ex-Northwestern Prof, Oxford Staffer Indicted In Brutal Stabbing

Prosecutors asked during Friday's hearing to be able to search Lathem's cellphone, the Tribune reports. Authorities are looking for a possible video Lathem sent to his parents after the murder, as well as texts to other people, the report added.

More via the Chicago Tribune

Wyndham Lathem (left) and Andrew Warren (Photos via the Cook County Sheriff's Office)