Post by pavel on Mar 17, 2016 18:58:36 GMT -6
Tennessee Supreme Court denies records in Vanderbilt rape case
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled against a coalition of media organizations, including The Tennessean, that sought third-party records related to the high-profile rape case involving former football players at Vanderbilt University.
The court, in a 4-1 decision announced Thursday, said that to release such investigative records to the media and the public would jeopardize an accused person's right to a fair trial. The ruling comes 10 months after the May 28 arguments.
The court’s opinion, written by Chief Justice Sharon Lee, says that a rule related to court procedure trumps the Tennessee Public Records Act in pending criminal cases. That rule allows for release of certain information to a defendant only, the court says, and gives other individuals or organizations no rights to such information.
“Our office is pleased with the Tennessee Supreme Court decision, as it is consistent with the intent of the General Assembly,” said Harlow Sumerford, a spokesman for the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office, which argued against the release of the records.
Read more: www.tennessean.com/story/news/2016/03/17/tennessee-supreme-court-denies-records-vanderbilt-rape-case/80423884/
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled against a coalition of media organizations, including The Tennessean, that sought third-party records related to the high-profile rape case involving former football players at Vanderbilt University.
The court, in a 4-1 decision announced Thursday, said that to release such investigative records to the media and the public would jeopardize an accused person's right to a fair trial. The ruling comes 10 months after the May 28 arguments.
The court’s opinion, written by Chief Justice Sharon Lee, says that a rule related to court procedure trumps the Tennessee Public Records Act in pending criminal cases. That rule allows for release of certain information to a defendant only, the court says, and gives other individuals or organizations no rights to such information.
“Our office is pleased with the Tennessee Supreme Court decision, as it is consistent with the intent of the General Assembly,” said Harlow Sumerford, a spokesman for the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office, which argued against the release of the records.
Read more: www.tennessean.com/story/news/2016/03/17/tennessee-supreme-court-denies-records-vanderbilt-rape-case/80423884/