Journalists in Oregon case seek more than 1,000 Boy Scouts files on suspected molesters
By Tim Fought, APMonday, June 14, 2010
Journalists seek Scouts’ files on abuse suspects
PORTLAND, Ore. — News organizations in Oregon have asked a Portland judge to release more than 1,000 files on suspected child molesters — records a jury used in April when it found the Boy Scouts of America liable for $20 million in damages.
Lawyers for the journalists told Judge John Wittmayer on Monday that the Oregon Constitution requires that justice be administered openly.
They say that means releasing files on Boy Scouts volunteers that were evidence in the case of a man abused in the early 1980s.
The Scouts organization says the judge has discretion with such records and shouldn’t release them because the publicity would hurt the group’s ability to get a fair trial in upcoming cases.
Wittmayer promised to rule quickly.
