Office of Information Practices

Opinion Letter No. 90-18
May 18, 1990
Video-Taped Confession in Homicide Investigation

A video-taped confession of the wife of a murdered legislator is not required to be available for public inspection and copying. Public access to the confession during the investigation would frustrate the investigative function of the police department by prematurely revealing the government’s evidence. Public disclosure before a criminal trial could deprive the defendant of the right to a fair trial. Public disclosure following the termination of enforcement proceedings would frustrate the ability of the police to obtain incriminating information.

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