LOGAN, Utah (AP) — A judge has ruled that hearings for two teenagers accused of shooting a 14-year-old girl in the head and leaving her critically wounded in a ditch will remain open to the public and media.

The Deseret News reports (http://bit.ly/2nbfTn8) that Judge Angela Fonnesbeck on Tuesday in Logan denied a request from defense attorneys to make the case private. The attorneys argued that open hearings would lead to “gossiping” and taint a jury pool.

Lawyer Michael O’Brien countered that state law stipulates that court cases for suspects 14 and older be kept open. He represented a Salt Lake City media coalition opposing the request that includes The Associated Press.

The two 16-year-old boys have been charged with aggravated murder, robbery and other counts.

The Associated Press is not naming the boys because they are juveniles.