Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 08/29/06

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

JOHN MARK KARR CASE
JUDGE AFFIRMS SEALING OF COURT DOCUMENTS;
DEFENDANT WAIVES EXTRADITION

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Superior Court Judge Cerena Wong ordered that the arrest warrant, search warrant, and accompanying documents in the child pornography case involving John Mark Karr will remain sealed, and not available to the public. In her ruling, the court balanced the defendant’s right to a fair trial against the right to public access to the material.

District Attorney Passalacqua stated, "The court’s ruling will preserve the defendant’s right to a fair trial. However, we will not tolerate the victimization of children. The protection of our children is paramount and we will vigorously pursue this case."

Mr. Karr appeared in a Colorado courtroom this afternoon on a fugitive complaint concerning his pending case in Sonoma County. The judge concluded that Karr’s pre-existing extradition waiver in 2001 was valid. He will be transported to Sonoma County no later than September 13, 2006.

Future updates on the status of this case can be accessed by telephoning 707-565-2445.