Judge To Unseal Documents In Holmes Case
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4/AP) - News organizations and the public will have a better understanding of what's happening in the Colorado theater shooting case following a judge's decision to release redacted copies of most of the court documents.
Arapahoe County District Court Judge William B. Sylvester Friday ordered the "unsuppression" of the court file, with some exceptions, by 8 a.m. Sept. 28.
"There have been more hearings where certain information has actually been made public because reporters are sitting in there; the court is now saying, 'Okay, we can release a little bit more information than we had previously,' " CBS4 Legal Analyst Karen Steinhauser said.
Documents that will not be released include the arrest affidavit, which contains details of the investigation, or requests for search warrants. Other documents, including those requested be suppressed or sealed by prosecutors or defense attorneys will remain publicly unavailable.
"Perhaps with the releasing of this information and some of these items that have been filed by both parties we'll be able to know more about the details of those additional charges," Steinhauser said.
Both sides had requested the case be sealed to protect the investigation and suspect James Holmes' right to a fair trial. Sylvester noted that the limits and releasing redacted copies effectively prevents such harm.
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