From The Blade The Blade today filed a motion to vacate an order issued denying public access to search warrants related to the investigation of Sierah Joughin's death.
Fulton County Common Pleas Judge James Barber on Tuesday denied public access to all search warrants, affidavits, and search warrant returns related to the investigation in response to a motion by Fulton County Prosecutor Scott Haselman.
The Blade’s motion was filed in Fulton County Common Pleas Court and states in part: ”The grounds for this motion are that, in absence of case-specific and evidence-based findings that support a sealing order, the movant has a right under the United States and Ohio Constitutions, Ohio’s public records law, and the common law be given access to some or all of these materials.”
A hearing has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday.
Ms. Joughin, 20, of Metamora, disappeared July 19 on a bike ride in rural Fulton County.
James D. Worley, 57, was arrested early Friday morning on an abduction charge and was later charged with aggravated murder. Local, state, and federal investigators have been searching his 3-acre property on County Road 6 for several days.
Officials said they discovered Ms. Joughin's remains Friday evening along County Road 7. Her identity was confirmed Tuesday after an autopsy.
Worley remains lodged at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio. He will be in court again today.