Physical Contact With Inmates Out for Legal Clerk

A law clerk charged with attempting to smuggle drugs to inmates in the Orange County jail has been barred from any meetings with inmates that involve physical contact.

The court order was issued Friday against Gail Marie Harrington, a clerk and law student who last week disclosed her secret marriage to convicted murderer Willie Ray Wisely.

The order had been sought by Dep. County Counsel Edward N. Duran, who said two recent incidents of drug possession had involved inmates who Harrington had regularly met in the jail.

Jail officials have barred visits by Harrington since her arrest Aug. 12 on the drug charges. Duran’s lawsuit stated the court order was necessary to continue that ban.

Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Ronald L. Bauer rejected Duran’s request for a ban on any visits by Harrington. He did sign a temporary restraining order that allows only visits that do not involve physical contact.

No Private Meetings

Harrington works for several jail inmates, including Wisely. Her lawyer, James Brustman, said Bauer did not interfere with Harrington’s ability to exchange legal papers with jail inmates.

In effect, Harrington will no longer be allowed to meet inmates in the private rooms used by lawyers.

She will be required to use public rooms, where glass separates visitors from inmates, conversation is by telephone and no physical contact is possible.

Bauer scheduled a full hearing on the case Sept. 15.