The affidavit in the Riley County Court case of Zachary Burton requested by Manhattan Broadcasting has been sealed. It’s been almost two years since the Kansas legislature passed a law making affidavits, which support the arrest of a defendant, available to the media.
But in this case, which involves the June seventh arrest of Burton on four counts of unlawful sexual relations with a female student, the 21st Judicial Court of Riley County is informing KMAN the state’s motion to seal the affidavit is ordered to be sealed.
In a brief order, the court indicates it found the disclosure of the affidavit has the potential of jeopardizing the well-being of the victim. The court considered whether redactions could be made that would provide some information to the media, but concluded the extent of redactions necessary would render the resulting redacted affidavit virtually void of any information.
Judge Meryl Wilson has signed the order, which was prepared by Senior Deputy County Attorney Barry Disney and approved by Burton’s attorney Barry Clark.
