Judge: Release Newtown 911 Logging Tapes

A Connecticut judge today ordered the release of 911 call logging tapes made during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, saying arguments to keep them confidential bordered on “frivolous.” A state public records commission had previously voted to make the tapes public in response to a request from the Associated Press, but a state prosecutor argued they should remain confidential. State’s attorney Matt Sedensky argued that releasing the calls would violate the privacy of the victims’ families. Sedensky also claimed the calls were “witness statements” and were protected from release because the investigation was on-going. The 911 calls include those made by teachers and staff last December from inside the school during the incident, which included the murder of 20 students and six teachers. The suspect killed himself just as police officers arrived at the school. Superior Court Judge Eliot D. Prescott listened to the logging tapes on Monday, and today denied a motion to stay the Freedom of Information Commission’s ruling to release the tapes. The commission ruled against prosecutors who claimed the 911 tapes were not releasable under certain state exemptions for calls pertaining to “child abuse.” The judge wrote, “The court recognizes and is deeply sensitive to the fact that the families and friends of those who died in this tragedy, as well as others in the greater Newtown community, may desire that the 911 audio recordings never be released.” But he added, “Delaying the release of the audio recordings, particularly where the legal justification to keep them confidential is lacking, only serves to fuel speculation about and undermine confidence in our law enforcement officials.” Download (pdf) the entire judge’s ruling for details on the decision.