Janklow Court Documents Sealed

The judge handling Congressman Bill Janklow's manslaughter case has sealed some court documents from public view, at least for a few weeks.

Circuit Judge Rodney Steele of Brookings filed an order today that prevents the release of legal motions related to the admissibility of evidence in the case. After all the documents are filed, he'll hold a hearing on November 4th to decide if they'll be sealed for good or if they can be released.

His order does not relate to other motions filed in the case. Janklow is charged with second-degree manslaughter and three misdemeanors for an August 16th accident that killed motorcyclist Randy Scott of Hardwick, Minnesota.

Janklow's lawyer, Ed Evans, asked that all documents and all pretrial hearings regarding evidence be sealed until after the trial. There was no gag order filed but lawyers aren't talking about it.

http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail9.cfm?Id=22,27495

What's up with that? Anyone know if this is typical?

If you're a Republican politician that is...

creepy...

The neocons are neither compassionate nor conservative. But we know they are self centered and put party before country.
The case of Janklow is yet another disgrace.:puke:

That stinks. Use and abuse of power and privilege. Only works that way if you are powerful or rich. Nevermind that he is supposed to be a public servant and has violated that trust. Now he uses his elected power to ahve his lawyer sela records...

as saying GOOD!

I think all motions, pretial motions, etc. should be sealed until AFTER THE TRIAL in ALL cases. I am so far beyond being sick of cases being tried in the newspapers, it isn't funny.

Now, AFTER the trial; NOTHING actually pertaining to the trial should remain sealed; including reasons for suppression of any evidence which was suppressed.

from the story: Janklow's lawyer, Ed Evans, asked that all documents and all pretrial hearings regarding evidence be sealed until after the trial.

my perception would be that sealing this stuff puts more power in the hands of the high priced lawyers and "connected" parties. Sometimes, a little publicity works in the favor of justice. We pay the price by also therefore permitting those who would abuse the privledge.

he suddenly stopped getting tickets when he became governor. This is a guy that should not have been out on the road.

that we were kind of releaved when he left for Washington. Keeps our roads safer while the House is in session.

Of course, the right answer would have been for him to lose his license after his first dozen tickets...

for republican family values :crazy:

Since WHEN don't lawyers TALK without gag orders?