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Stearns County ordered to release Wetterling files not compiled by FBI

The order is connected to a lawsuit filed by Patty and Jerry Wetterling to prevent Stearns County from releasing investigative documents about the disappearance and death of their son Jacob in 1989.
Credit: Dave Peterlinz, KARE 11

Stearns County must release all files on the Jacob Wetterling investigation except those originating with the FBI, a judge ruled Thursday.

The order is connected to a lawsuit filed by Patty and Jerry Wetterling to prevent Stearns County from releasing investigative documents about the disappearance and death of their son Jacob in 1989.

The Wetterlings believed some of the files from the investigation were too private to be released, but a Minnesota law states investigative files become public once the case has closed, according to Seventh District Court Judge Ann L. Carrott.

Media groups and the U.S. government intervened in the case. In March, the court ordered all Stearns County files originating from the FBI must be returned, narrowing the number of documents in contention for release.

The most recent order applies to the non-federal documents, which consists of six documents totaling 89 pages. The Wetterlings had identified 29 of those pages they believe are constitutionally protected.

Stearns County had spent months redacting the files and the Wetterlings filed suit June 1, just before they were set to be released.

Carrott acknowledged that the Minnesota Court of Appeals has recognized that the Minnesota Legislature "has already balanced the rights of individuals to protect personal information and the public's right to obtain information."

Jacob Wetterling's abduction had a "profound effect" on the people of Minnesota, wrote Carrott in her conclusion.

"While the Court has great personal empathy for the Wetterlings, the Court must impartially apply the law, unswayed by emotion. To do otherwise would would result in an unfair application of the law."

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