Mason City, Iowa (RI) — A judge heard arguments this past week on whether a sealed search warrant as part of the case of missing Mason City TV anchor Jodi Huisentruit should be unsealed.
Attorneys representing private investigator Steve Ridge claim the warrant regarding GPS data for two vehicles connected to potential suspect John Vansice should be opened, since Vansice died in December and any investigation into his involvement has ended. Cerro Gordo County Attorney Carlyle Dalen opposes the motion, saying unsealing the warrant could hinder the investigation. Ridge attorney Nellie O’Mara believes not releasing the contents of the warrant hinders the case moving forward.
Huisentruit vanished in 1995. Ridge attorney Jesse Marzen says the public has an interest in knowing what police are doing and it’s time to bring full resolution of the case with Vansice’s family.
Dalen says opening the warrant will give the public facts and circumstances in the case that are not out to the general public, possibly hurting the investigation.
Dalen says no portion of the warrant should be unsealed, and the fact that it’s been almost 30 years since Huisentruit disappeared should not factor into a decision.
District Senior Judge James Drew says he’ll issue a ruling on the case within 30 days.
(Bob Fisher, KLKK, Clear Lake)
Photo Courtesy KIMT News 3
