(WXYZ) - A judge has ruled that 1400 text messages, kept under seal in the criminal trial of Christine Beatty, should be released.
The judge ruled that there is no legal reason to keep the text messages sealed. The defense had argued that the text messages should be kept sealed because releasing them would violate lawyer/client privilege and marital privilege. However, the judge found that there was no confidential communication or legal advice in the text messages.
The judge also ruled that privilege as city servants does not apply to the text messages, saying that shedding light on governmental misconduct breaks the seal.
The defense has until Monday, March 9 to appeal the ruling. Until then the text messages stay under seal. Christine Beatty's attorney, Mayer Morganroth, says he will check with his client to see if she wants to appeal. He says all that can come from releasing the text messages is "embarrassment, harassment and embarrassment."
The
Detroit Free Press is suing to get the text messages released. The paper's attorney, Herschel Fink, says the ruling makes this "a very good day for public access and for public information." He says it shows the judge" certainly understands the stakes" involved in the case.
