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Prosecutors Ask Judge To Block Autopsies' Release In Pregnant Mom, Girls' Deaths

DENVER (AP) — Prosecutors want a judge to block release of the autopsy reports of Shanann Watts and her two young daughters found dead at an oil work site, arguing that the cause of their deaths will be critical evidence during the trial of the man charged with killing his family.

In a request filed in Weld County Court on Monday, District Attorney Michael Rourke said releasing information from the autopsies could influence witnesses and affect future jurors.

watts women
Bella, Celeste and Shanann Watts (credit: CBS)

Christopher Watts, 33, was arrested and charged in August with killing his 34-year-old pregnant wife, Shanann, and their two daughters, four-year-old Bella and three-year-old Celeste.

Autopsy reports are presumed public in Colorado. Judges can decide to seal them under certain conditions.

Christopher Watts Arraignment Hearing in Murder Of Wife And Children
Chris Watts (credit: RJ Sangosti - Pool/Getty Images)

Judge Marcelo Kopcow had not ruled on the request on Tuesday afternoon.

(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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