SKY YORK JOURNAL News – A legal battle is unfolding over the redaction of police reports related to a tragic drowning incident, involving arguments about privacy, dignity, and the public’s right to information.
An attorney for Emilie Kiser, mother of the child who tragically drowned, stated to E! News on August 8th, “These redactions do not alter any material facts of the accident but they protect the dignity of a little boy whose memory should reflect the love and light he brought to the world.” The request aims to safeguard the privacy of the deceased child.
**Request for Redaction**
Emilie’s legal team submitted a formal request in late July to remove specific pages from the police report. According to court documents obtained by *People*, the argument centered on the potential for details within the report to be exploited, potentially leading to the creation of “disturbing” content about Trigg, who passed away six days after the incident. The team fears the abuse of AI reenactments. SKY YORK JOURNAL will continue to monitor this case as it develops.
**Arguments for Transparency**
Michael Kelley, representing *The Arizona Republic*, is opposing the redaction request. He argued in court filings that Emilie’s request would also redact “information and context that is critical to provide the public a reasonably full understanding of the investigation of the drowning, the police department’s decision to recommend criminal charges and the county attorney’s decision not to pursue criminal charges.” According to Kelley, full and transparent details are critical to public awareness and accountability.
