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I strongly disagree with Obama's decision to halt release of this evidence. It is probably the first decision he's made that disappoints me.
My argument is that this is not "all or nothing." To remove the seal on these documents does not necessarily mean the entire world needs to see them. An independent committee or panel of legal experts (or possibly a Grand Jury, or something approximating one?) could examine this evidence for the purpose of preparing a list of people who committed these acts and what charges would be leveled against these individuals. Maybe the cases--if developed--could be sent on to the World Court and need not necessarily be tried in the United States.
Any crimes committed against minors would, by definition, remain sealed, or at least that is my understanding.
You can still conduct a criminal trial without the evidence being widely publicized to the public, at least in cases where minors are involved. Think of how many crime scene photos (of famous serial killers) have never seen the light of day.
So "wide dissemination" and the inflammatory response it may provoke, as an excuse, is a cop-out.
Right now a trial is ongoing against a New Jersey State Trooper. I'm sure that the jury will see accident scene photos that will not be shown on the court monitor, just as we are not allowed to hear the names or see the faces of the jurors.
Confidentially is still possible, even in this day and age. When I used to research criminal case files, there were often items, photos, recordings that were sealed and remained so a decade or more after the crime happened, and which I forbidden to see.
Obviously some measures can be taken to restrict their publication.
But I simply do not believe they should be sealed from EVERYONE for all of eternity. These crimes deserve to be evaluated and, if so deemed, vigorously prosecuted.
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