BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A coalition of Idaho news groups say Idaho's policy of restricting full access to executions in an effort to protect the identity of the execution team is misguided and runs afoul of the First Amendment.

The Associated Press and 16 other news groups asked a federal judge last month to strike down the portion of Idaho's policy that prevents witnesses from viewing lethal injections from start to finish.

Prison officials defended their policy last week.

They say keeping the curtain closed on the first few steps — including insertion of the IV catheters — is essential to protecting the anonymity of execution team members.

Both sides failed to reach a settlement last week during court-ordered mediation.

A ruling is expected this week before the June 12 execution of Richard Leavitt.