Journalism Groups Intervene in Wetterling Abduction Files

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) _ Several Minnesota journalism groups want to intervene
to release documents from the 1989 abduction and killing of Jacob Wetterling.

The request was filed Tuesday by the Minnesota Newspaper Association, the
Minnesota Broadcasters Association and other media organizations.

A judge this month blocked the scheduled release of the documents at the
request of Jacob's parents. Patty and Jerry Wetterling want to keep the
investigative file private, at least until a judge can review documents they say
hold personal information.

Media groups argue the judge should not rule that privacy rights can be used to override Minnesota's Data Practices Act, which requires most government records to be made public.

Danny Heinrich confessed last year to kidnapping, sexually assaulting and
killing the St. Joseph boy. The Wetterlings' attorney, Doug Kelley, says none of
the documents at issue mention Heinrich.