CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) – A judge has ruled a sheriff didn't violate a gag order when he gave interviews to two newspapers about a man charged with murder in the deaths of two women.

Judge Diane Boswell urged Lake County Sheriff John Buncich to be cautious in what he says about Darren Vann of Gary, who has directed authorities to the bodies of five other women.

Vann's attorneys filed a motion last month seeking to have Buncich held in contempt of court for comments he made to the newspapers in which he said he wouldn't provide Vann with any forms of entertainment unless a court ordered him to do so.

Boswell says the case never should have reached the point of Friday's hearing could have been settled by talks between Buncich and Vann's attorneys.