Jaycee Dugard Testimony May be Released

May 10, 2011, 11:01 by R.E. Christian

A California judge scheduled a June 2 hearing on the question of releasing grand jury testimony by kidnap victim Jaycee Dugard.

El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Douglas Phimister will sentence Phillip and Nancy Garrido on kidnapping and rape charges on the same date and then decide if the news media will get a crack at Dugard's closed-door testimony about her 18 years as a captive in their home.

The Garridos, who pleaded guilty April 28, are opposed to allowing publication of the testimony, as is Dugard's camp, which says it wants to spare Dugard and the two children she gave birth to from the potential trauma.

"It should be sealed forever," said Stephen Tapson, Nancy Garrido's lawyer. "This was years of abuse. Why should she (Dugard) relive it?"

The Reno (Nev.) Gazette-Journal noted Tuesday Dugard is writing a book on her experiences to be released in July.

Grand jury testimony is secret by nature in California; however, the San Francisco Chronicle pointed out the law allows testimony to be unsealed after it is turned over to the defense. The newspaper is one of the media outlets seeking the release of the transcripts.

Source: UPI