Reuters:

A U.S. judge on Monday expressed strong doubts that he had the legal authority to order Apple Inc to access data on a locked iPhone that was seized as part of a federal investigation.

“What you’re asking them to do is do work for you,” U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein told government attorneys at a hearing in Brooklyn federal court.

And:

Saritha Komatireddy, arguing for the government, said the order it sought would essentially be the same as ordering Apple to turn over information.

But Orenstein said the request went further than that. He instead compared the order the government sought to one compelling a drug company to make a lethal injection drug over its conscientious objection, asking Komatireddy whether he would have the authority to do that.

Komatireddy asked to respond in writing, adding that “the hypothetical is somewhat inflammatory.”

“Purposefully so,” Orenstein responded.

This case is ongoing and important.