WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – A judge has tossed out a subpoena seeking to force a Wichita Eagle reporter to testify about contacts he had with attorneys for inmates who claim they were sexually abused by a former guard.

The Wichita Eagle reported Judge Joe Kisner Tuesday quashed the subpoena filed by attorney Charles O’Hara, who represents the former jail guard.

O’Hara argued the reporter emailed a news release sent out by O’Hara to an attorney representing victims in the pending civil case. O’Hara claimed the email opened the door to questions about conversations the reporter had with the attorneys. The newspaper said the release was sent to the plaintiffs’ attorney in an attempt to seek comment.

The Eagle cited the state’s reporter’s shield law in seeking to quash the subpoena.