Sealed Warrants Opened

SMVT partner Amanda Martin represented five media organizations who sought access to more than 40 search warrants that had been sealed in the investigation into the death of Zahra Baker, a disabled 10-year-old girl whose dismembered body was discovered in Caldwell County in December. The warrants revealed important information such as when the young girl actually died and some details of her death. A superior court judge unsealed some of the warrants in November in response to a request from Ms. Martin and her clients. After she filed a formal motion to unseal the remaining warrants District Attorney James Gaither agreed to release them on January 3, 2011.