Criminal Media Release

District Attorney Nola Foulston comments today on this mornings news article appearing in the Wichita Eagle.

It is the function of the Office of the District Attorney to engage in cooperative efforts with law enforcement to assist in the investigation of crimes that occur in this community. Some cases that may continue to be listed as "unsolved" as in the pending matter of BTK, are investigated under the Kansas Inquisition Statute. Certain procedures under this act must be approved by the District Court. Court ordered subpoenas issued during inquisition proceedings specifically request nondisclosure of the existence of the subpoena so that law enforcement investigations are not hindered, public safety is not endangered and individual privacy is respected. That language states as follows:

"YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO DISCLOSE THE

EXISTENCE OF THIS SUBPOENA AS ANY SUCH DISCLOSURE COULD IMPEDE THE

INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED AND THEREBY INTERFERE WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW"

The law enforcement investigation of serial murder is of grave public concern. The District Attorney is appreciative of businesses and individuals who exhibit their respect for the language of court orders, law enforcement investigations, public safety and individual privacy.

These are fundamental concerns for our community. In its report today, the Wichita Eagle failed to inform the public that the court ordered subpoenas received by their parent company, Knight-Ridder, included this specific request by the District Court. Apparently, the Eagle determined that it would not agree to the requested non-disclosure in this critical investigation.

The District Attorney's Office has serious concerns about the disclosure of information by any source that could jeopardize the ability to identify a suspect.

 

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