By: The Kansas Press Association wants the public to be able to view the criminal affidavits that detail investigatory work used to justify an arrest.
The group says Kansas is the only state in the country that doesn't unseal affidavits at some point in a criminal case.
"It's just us and Cuba," joked Doug Anstaett, KPA executive director. "This isn't Cuba. This isn't North Korea. We believe the information needs to be scrutinized and out there for the public."
Until the late 1970s, Kansas residents and journalists could view the documents. But that changed when an affidavit was mistakenly released revealing a suspect not yet arrested and a newspaper ran the name.
"I understand the need to balance public safety with the citizens' right to examine documents," said Kansas Attorney General Stephen Six.
Ed Klumpp, the legislative director for the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, said a concern in revisiting the statute is the opening of affidavits too soon and compromising investigations.
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