(Host) The state Supreme Court will now decide whether the public has a right to know the name of the Rutland City police officer being investigated for alleged possession of child pornography.
VPR’s Nina Keck has more.
(Keck) Attorney Matt Harnett, who’s representing the officer in question, filed an appeal to the state Supreme Court this morning after Rutland District Judge Thomas Zonay denied a final motion to keep the officer’s name sealed.
Harnett says he doesn’t know when the state’s highest court will take up the issue. But he says since his client hasn’t been charged with a crime, his identity should be protected.
(Harnett) "We’re at a very preliminary stage. They’ve gathered evidence. And there’s no result of their investigation, yet. So this kind of appeal has to do with, is it fair to unseal this stuff under these circumstances?"
(Keck) Child pornography was found on the officer’s police-issued laptop and other pornography was found in his work area.
The officer in question was put on administrative leave February 5th.
For VPR News, I’m Nina Keck in Rutland.