Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Sandy Hook Massacre: State Law Being Prepared in Secret to Keep Evidence From Public — Forever

Hartford Courant, May 21, 2013: The staffs of the state's top prosecutor and the governor's office have been working in secret with General Assembly leaders on legislation to withhold records related to the police investigation into the Dec. 14 Newtown elementary school massacre — including victims' photos, tapes of 911 calls, and possibly more.

The behind-the-scenes legislative effort came to light Tuesday when The Courant obtained a copy of an email by a top assistant to Chief State's Attorney Kevin Kane, Timothy J. Sugrue. Sugrue, an assistant state's attorney, discussed options considered so far, including blocking release of statements "made by a minor."

"There is complete agreement regarding photos etc., and audio tapes, although the act may allow the disclosure of audio transcripts," Sugrue wrote to Kane, two other Kane subordinates and to Danbury State's Attorney Stephen Sedensky, who is directing the investigation of the killings.
 
The bill that's being crafted has not been handled under routine legislative procedures — it hasn't gone through the committee process, which includes a public hearing, for example. Sugrue's email Tuesday indicated that a draft of the bill was being worked on by leaders in both the House and Senate, and might be ready as soon as the end of the day.

Read more 

Editorial: Why Is Newtown Investigation A Police Secret?
... Secrecy-obsessed prosecutors may seek to extend the 90-day court order sealing search warrant affidavits for the cars of shooter Adam Lanza and his mother, Nancy, as well as their Newtown home. Why should those affidavits be sealed? The Courant and several other media outlets are asking that they be made public. ...

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