Judge rejects actor's bid to silence family

LOS ANGELES — A judge rejected actor Jeremy London's request to bar his mother and twin brother from giving interviews about the actor after a brief hearing Thursday.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Irving Shimer said the comments made by London's family were protected by the First Amendment right to free speech and he would not prevent them from giving future interviews.

London, who starred in the television series "Party of Five," sued his mother, Deborah Nielsen and his twin brother, Jason, on Wednesday. He also named Jason London's fiancée, Sofia Karstens.

The lawsuit claimed comments by the trio may jeopardize a police investigation into London's alleged kidnapping in Palm Springs, Calif., on June 10. One person has been arrested and London's lawsuit states police are investigating two others.

"What you want is to repeal the First Amendment," Shimer told London's attorney, Catherine Lombardo. He said the actor could sue if the statements were untrue. "If you want to sue them for slander, sue them for slander."

Lombardo, who classified some of the comments made in recent interviews as "lies," said she is considering a civil lawsuit. She said she also will seek an evidentiary hearing to renew her request for an injunction prohibiting London's family from speaking to the press.

Jason London, also an actor, has cast doubts on his brother's story that he was kidnapped while changing a flat tire and forced at gunpoint to buy alcohol and take drugs.

Nielsen's attorney, Tamar Arminak, declined comment after the hearing.

Jeremy London, who also appeared in the TV series "7th Heaven" and the film "Mallrats," did not attend the hearing.