LancasterOnline.com:News:Newspaper tries to block turnover of 2 computers

Newspaper tries to block turnover of 2 computers

State Supreme Court will decide whether Lancaster Newspapers must surrender more computers in probe of alleged access to restricted law enforcement Web site.

Aug 29, 2006 14:21 EST

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By Janet Kelley

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QUOTE(Lancaster Online @ Aug 29 2006, 11:18 AM)

In addition to First Amendment issues, attorneys for the newspaper object to having the matter brought before a statewide investigative grand jury.

William A. DeStefano, the Philadelphia attorney representing the newspaper, wrote in his court petition that the matter "does not involve organized crime, public corruption, or any activities occurring outside of Lancaster County.

LNP hard-drive data would either confirm or refute DeStefano's claim.

Revelation

This is a tough one. My opinion is that freedom of speech and freedom of the press issues should take precedence here.

Why can't the State make a case based on the IP addresses of the computers used to access County Control's system? Besides, it is easy enough to eliminate incriminating data from any computer, assuming the person knows what they are doing. Even forensic reconstruction of deleted data is easy enough to block with multiple overwrites using any one of a number of different utilities. I would expect almost anyone on LNP's computer support staff would know how to do it.

Artie See

QUOTE

No charges have been brought against anyone, including the coroner, Dr. G. Gary Kirchner, or any employees of Lancaster Newspapers.

I thought charges were brought against two other 'civilians' associated with the same activity.

BuffaloBill

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