Guderian himself emphatically denied this, citing Hitler's unanswerable order to halt on 23 May as the cause (though he paid tribute to the defenders' tenacity).

"Sam, you will learn I don't talk about that case," Mr. McCurry said, citing the judge's order not to comment on the case.

The prosecution will not comment, citing the judge's order not to talk to the press.

But citing the judge's order, he said he could not provide any details.

Mr. Gigante's lawyers declined to discuss the decision, citing the judge's order that the lawyers and prosecutors not discuss the trial publicly.

Citing the judge's order barring either side from discussing the case, Mr. Richman refused to discuss who had made his client's suit.

And law enforcement officials were unwilling Friday to clear up those conflicts, citing a judge's order barring the parties from discussing the Moussaoui case.

Mr. Clinton refused to discuss his claim of executive privilege, citing a Federal judge's order that all grand jury matters be kept secret.

A lawyer for the Baez family, Susan M. Karten, declined to make a copy available or to discuss it, citing the judge's order.

They spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing a federal judge's order not to discuss the case.