Caretaker Asks For Gag Order In Slain Doctor Case

HOUSTON -- The public may soon hear less about the case of a 10-year-old boy accused of gunning down his father.

Because of the publicity surrounding the shooting death of Rick Lohstroh, the boy's temporary custodian requested a gag order to prevent both sides from talking further about the case in public.

A judge will decide Wednesday whether or not to put a gag order in place. A second custody hearing is set for Thursday.

Tuesday's detention hearing for the boy was rescheduled for Sept. 23.

Police believe Lohstroh's 10-year-old son fired the fatal bullets. He has been placed in juvenile custody but has not been charged with a crime yet.

Lohstroh, a 41-year-old physician at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, had gone to his former wife's home in Katy on Aug. 27 to pick up his two sons as part of a joint custody agreement.

The Harris County Sheriff's Department said the 10-year-old retrieved a gun, climbed in the back seat and began shooting "through the back of the driver's seat, striking his father."

Deputies said the boy got out of the vehicle and continued firing before going inside the home, where his mother, Deborah Geisler, took the gun from him.

Investigators said it is still a mystery as to why the boy would kill his father.

During the couple's divorce trial, Geisler accused Lohstroh of sexually abusing their two sons. Two separate police agencies investigated the claims but neither filed charges.

People close to Lohstroh and his children say Geisler used a form of brainwashing, known as Parental Alienation Syndrome, during the couple's contentious breakup that they believe possibly led to the father's death.

Officials found Geisler and the boy's 8-year-old brother Friday after they were unable to locate them Wednesday when a judge granted Lohstroh's parents custody of the children. The boy is now in his grandparent's custody.

Previous Stories:

September 13, 2004: Slain Father's Son To Remain In Juvenile Custody
September 10, 2004: Friends Blame Brainwashing For Doctor's Death
September 9, 2004: Grandparents Get Custody Of Boys After Father Shot
September 2, 2004: Mother Disputes Report She Made Death Threat
September 1, 2004: Slain Doctor Told Police Wife Threatened To Kill Him
August 31, 2004: Girlfriend, Colleagues Defend Slain Doctor
August 30, 2004: Boy Suspected Of Fatally Shooting Father To Remain Detained
August 27, 2004: Constables: Boy, 10, Shoots Father To Death