Wyo. House Defeats Bill To Open Arrests Records

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming House of Representatives has defeated a bill that would have changed state law to allow the release of names of people charged with sexual assault before until they're bound over to district court.

Cody Republican Rep. Sam Krone, an assistant Park County prosecutor, had sponsored the bill. He argued arrests on sexual assault charges should be treated the same as arrests on charges of murder and other crimes.

But several opponents argued sexual assault cases deserve special treatment. They said the charge carries such stigma that it's proper to require a judge to determine that there is sufficient evidence to send the case to district court before the defendant's name can be released to the public.

The House voted 32-to24 on Tuesday to kill the bill.