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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Defense attorneys for Brian David Mitchell want to keep sealed court documents that they say could impede their client's right to a fair trial.
Mitchell's defense team on Monday filed motions in 3rd District Court saying that documents marked "Filed Under Seal" should "remain sealed and exempt from public discourse at the present time."
Mitchell is accused of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart from her bedroom in June 2002 and taking her as his plural wife for nine months until he, his wife and the teen were found walking along a suburban street.
Media outlets argued last week that those documents should be open to the public, as are most court documents. But the defense attorneys say some of the information in the documents could be prejudicial and the public is already very familiar with the case because of the attention it has received.
Judge Judith S. Atherton is considering the motion.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
