SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Search warrants in the investigation into the killing of a prominent New Brunswick businessman last year will remain sealed from public view for at least the time being.

Provincial court Judge R. Leslie Jackson has set June 27 as the date for a full hearing to consider a request from Saint John City Police to keep the documents sealed for another six months.

Richard Oland, 69, was found dead in his Saint John office on July 7 of last year.

The businessman was a member of the Oland beer-making family -- owners of Moosehead Breweries -- although he was no longer involved in the business.

Police have called his death a homicide but have not said how he died or released any other information about their investigation.

Police executed a number of search warrants in the weeks following Oland's death but those documents were sealed by the judge in December following a hearing in which he heard from a city police officer in a meeting behind closed doors.

That original sealing order expired Friday, but the court did not have time to hold a full hearing.

Crown attorney John Henheffer told the court that the release of the documents could jeopardize the ongoing police investigation.

"Police have not been sitting on their hands," Henheffer said. "This matter is still being actively investigated."

Lawyer David Coles, who represents media organizations opposed to the extension, said the Crown hadn't produced any evidence to support the request.

"You should not interfere with the freedom of expression rights of my clients ... based on no evidence," Coles told the judge.

But Jackson disagreed, ruling that the sealing order would remain in place until a hearing on "the full and complete merits."

When the hearing is held on June 27, the Crown is asking the judge to receive an update on the matter in a private meeting with a police investigator.

However, Coles argues that the lawyers should be present, even if they have to swear to keep what they hear confidential.

"Every time a court makes a ruling based on evidence that they hear behind closed doors without even lawyers representing another viewpoint or another perspective that does not bode well for an ongoing faith in the administration of justice," Coles said outside the court.

Coles said even if he's successful in getting the documents released, some portions could be blacked out if the judge believes they could harm the reputations of innocent people.

"There may be some redaction if we're successful, but ... I don't know what's there."