SAN DIEGO -- Restrictions on media coverage of pre-trial court proceedings against the alleged killer of Danielle van Dam were continued and, in some cases, tightened Thursday.

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Superior Court Judge William Mudd ordered that affidavits used to support a search warrant for the house of defendant David A. Westerfield remain sealed until the next court hearing, scheduled for May 6.

Mudd not only continued a gag order on attorneys and key witnesses, he also extended it to cover any employee of the County of San Diego who might have something to do with the case.

Mudd also ordered television cameramen to not enter the north corridor of the third floor, where his department is located, unless they are covering another case.

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A Lot Of Decisions Being Made

San Diego Union-Tribune lawyer Guylyn Cummins (pictured, right) told 10News that she believes the high-profile nature of the case is what drove the judge to his decision.

"We've essentially seen in high-profile cases like this trial, the O.J. Simpson case, Watergate cases ... judges get fearful that the jury pool will be tainted. And as a result, they give the defendant every benefit, at the expense of the public," Cummins said.

However, Mudd said that he would allow TV coverage when the trial starts. He said he would unseal court documents on May 6, giving the media almost two weeks to examine them before the May 17 trial.

Meanwhile, Mudd has said he will review the personnel records of 13 officers involved in the investigation of Danielle van Dam's abduction and murder. Westerfield's lawyers have asked for access to those records. Mudd said he will make a ruling on the matter only after he has reviewed the files.