Articles
Judge Grants Inmate’s Request for Public Records
A King County Superior Court judge recently granted an imprisoned arsonist’s request for public records on numerous officials who helped put him behind bars, despite the protests of prosecutors.
Hundreds of Requests
In 2004, Allan Parmelee was convicted of first-degree arson in the firebombing of two attorneys’ vehicles. Since his incarceration, Parmelee has filed hundreds of requests for public records on prison guards, prosecutors, judges, and state troopers, among others.
Prosecutor Dan Satterberg asked the court to allow his office to ignore Parmelee’s requests, arguing that Parmelee was trying to harass his staff.
Judge’s Ruling
On Monday, Judge Glenna Hall ruled that some of Parmelee’s requests must be granted, including his requests for photos of county employees, job titles and pay scales. His requests for personnel files, however, do not have to be granted, she ruled.
He “has been characterized as not only annoying or vocal, but violent. Even so, the law requires the court to presume that access to the public records he seeks is in the public interest, and not make him show his purpose,” Hall wrote in her published opinion.
(Source: Associated Press)
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