ST. LOUIS (AP) — A judge's closed-door dismissal of an indecency charge against an Illinois sheriff who was accused of a sex act with a man outside a tavern may have violated the constitutional rights of openness to reporters, an Illinois Press Association attorney said Wednesday.

Associate St. Clair County (Ill.) Judge Julie Katz dropped the alleged Caseyville ordinance violation against Perry County Sheriff Keith Kellerman on Tuesday after discussing the matter in her chambers with attorneys for both sides.

With at least two reporters waiting for what would have been an open hearing, Katz dismissed the case at the request of Kellerman attorney Thomas Mansfield, who argued that the ordinance didn't specify what constituted indecent conduct, the Belleville News-Democrat reported.