Wyoming Attorney General Appeals Ruling On Sex Crime Secrecy

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Attorney General's Office is appealing a judge's ruling that circuit court proceedings concerning sex crimes don't have to be closed to the public.

The attorney general's office filed notice Tuesday that it is asking the state Supreme Court to reverse last month's ruling by District Judge Keith Kautz of Torrington.

The Wyoming Press Association, several Wyoming newspapers and The Associated Press had challenged a circuit court's closure of proceedings for a Casper man charged with sexually abusing and kidnapping a Glenrock girl.

Kautz concluded the circuit court was wrong to close hearings on whether to send defendant Robert J. Parks to trial.

Parks was convicted and is serving a prison sentence.

A Supreme Court ruling on the attorney general's appeal will establish statewide law on the issue.