Emilie Kiser Wins Legal Order to Redact 2 Pages of Police Report with 'Graphic' Details of 3-Year-Old Son Trigg's 'Final Moments'
The Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County ruled in Emilie Kiser's favor on an order to redact two pages from the Chandler Police Department (CDP) report on the death of her 3-year-old son, Trigg
Emilie filed to censor the report on July 29; at the time, AZ Central cited court documents in which Matthew Kelley, a lawyer representing the defendant, claimed that the two redacted pages reveal why the CPD recommended a Emilie's husband Brady be charged with felony child abuse
Despite the recommendation, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office previously determined that there was "no likelihood of conviction" against Brady, who was home at the time of Trigg's fatal drowning incidentEmilie Kiser has won yet another legal battle in her effort to seal certain details about the death of her 3-year-old son, Trigg.
On Friday, Aug. 8, the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County ruled in Emilie's favor after she filed to remove two pages from the Chandler Police Department (CDP) report on Trigg's drowning incident in their backyard pool on May 12. He died six days later after hospitalization, police confirmed to PEOPLE at the time.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Emilie's attorney Shannon Clark states that the two censored pages describe the fatal tragedy.
'We're grateful to Judge Whitten for carefully balancing the important interests at stake and allowing a narrow but meaningful redaction to the Chandler police report, removing two pages that detail the graphic final moments of Trigg's life," reads Clark's statement. "These redactions do not alter any material facts of the accident, but they protect the dignity of a little boy whose memory should reflect the love and light he brought to the world."
She continues, "From the start, this has been about protecting Trigg and the family's ability to grieve privately. This decision allows them, and the public, to remember him for the beautiful life he lived, not the tragic way it ended.'
AZ Central reported Emilie's initial motion to censor the CPD's report on July 29. The outlet cited court documents in which Matthew Kelley, a lawyer representing The Arizona Republic, claimed that the two pages reveal why the CPD recommended Emilie's husband Brady be charged with a class 4 felony of child abuse. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office (MCAO) ultimately determined that there was 'no likelihood of conviction' against Brady.
According to Kelley, Emile's legal team filed to remove the pages due to concerns that, should the police report become public, the details of the case could be used to create 'disturbing' content, such as reenactments with artificial intelligence.
"The section of the report Ms. Kiser seeks to redact contains information and context that is critical to provide the public a reasonably full understanding of the investigation of the drowning, the police department's decision to recommend criminal charges and the county attorney's decision not to pursue criminal charges," Kelley said, as reported by AZ Central.
The MCAO announced its decision not to charge Brady in a statement on Friday, July 25, noting that the review of the case involved "highly experienced senior attorneys and the County Attorney herself."
'We are grateful to law enforcement and the county attorney for conducting a thorough investigation and confirming that this was a tragic accident," Kiser's attorney Flynn Carey said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. "Brady remains in the midst of the grieving process and is thankful to be with his family as they heal together. We appreciate the compassion and support shown during this difficult time.'
Due to Emilie's social media persona, she initially filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, May 27, in Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County to keep records about Trigg's death out of public view, according to court documents. Her filing stated that the City of Chandler and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office had received more than 100 requests for access to public records related to the incident.
On June 3, the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County ruled in Emilie's favor on another motion she filed to keep her personal declaration private, granting Kiser temporary confidentiality on both her declaration and her larger request for privacy while the court reviewed evidence to make a final ruling.
A source told PEOPLE at the time that Emile's personal declaration 'reflects an intensely personal account of her grief and trauma, submitted to help the court understand her perspective — not for public consumption.'
'The core legal issues remain fully transparent through public filings by counsel and the court. Emilie's sealed declaration does not hinder the public's understanding of the case or its legal significance," the source continued. "Preserving a small measure of privacy in the midst of public scrutiny is a reasonable and compassionate choice given the circumstances."
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Despite denials, email shows ex-Henry County sheriff knew of sex abuse claim
A newly disclosed email contradicts previous claims by former Henry County Sheriff Ric McCorkle that he knew nothing about a 2018 sexual abuse allegation against a community corrections official who was also a special sheriff's deputy. McCorkle said earlier this year that he was unaware of an inmate's allegation in 2018 that Deputy Community Corrections Director Jason Bertram had touched the man's genitals during a work release meeting in 2018. The accuser is one of at least seven men who claim Bertram used his power to coerce them into unwanted sexual acts before killing himself in 2023. Most of the men were abused after 2018. Six of them are now suing Henry County leaders in federal court for failing to take steps that could have prevented the abuse. McCorkle, who was sheriff from 2015 to 2022, said under oath in a March 6 deposition that he was "not aware" of the 2018 allegation. He also told IndyStar in a June 5 phone interview that the allegation "wasn't brought to my attention" and that he "wasn't aware of the '18 complaint." But an email unearthed as part of the pending civil lawsuits against him and other officials suggest he did know about the allegation. The email is the most recent evidence to emerge that McCorkle and other Henry County leaders knew about allegations against Bertram for years, but failed to stop him from victimizing more men. In the June 12, 2018, email, then-Henry County Prosecutor Joe Bergacs asked the Indiana State Police to take over the investigation from the sheriff's department. Bergacs wrote that he "received a call from Sheriff McCorkle" informing him that a Henry County jail inmate named Michael Ritchie had made a complaint against Bertram under the Prison Rape Elimination Act. "The allegations contain inappropriate touching by Mr. Bertram against Mr. Ritchie," Bergacs wrote, noting that Bertram is "a special deputy appointed by the Sheriff." When confronted with the email, McCorkle told IndyStar he didn't remember the allegation or speaking with Bergacs, but he acknowledged it may have happened. "I'm not gonna tell you that I didn't," he said in an Aug. 14 phone interview. "I don't remember it. I just don't remember. I have no reason to lie to you, I just don't remember doing any of that with Michael Ritchie." At the time of the 2018 complaint, both Bergacs and McCorkle sat on the Henry County Community Corrections Advisory Board, which had the power to fire Bertram. But even after they learned of a second accusation from a different inmate in 2020, they took no action to restrict Bertram's access to clients. Only after several more men came forward with allegations amid a new state police investigation did the board finally fire Bertram in 2022. "It's sad that this went on so long and that the cover up is still continuing," said Indianapolis attorney Jonathan Little, who is representing Bertram's accusers. "Just think of all the men and boys who could have been spared." McCorkle attributed the board's inaction to "a lack of sharing information" and said he doesn't beleive there was a cover up. "I don't know why it got dropped," he said, "but I can't imagine anybody wanting to cover it up." As deputy director of community corrections, Bertram oversaw defendants placed on house arrest or assigned to community service. McCorkle said he designated everyone who worked in community corrections a "special deputy" so that they had arrest powers if needed. McCorkle isn't the only one who said he forgot about Ritchie's case. Bergacs, the prosecutor at the time, also claimed during a recent deposition that he didn't recall Ritchie's case. "I really don't remember anything," he said. "I'm sure it had to do with inappropriate touching, but I don't remember whatever the specific allegations are as I sit here now." Bergacs did not respond to an inquiry from IndyStar, but the newly disclosed email and previously disclosed state police records show that he was heavily involved and that he declined to prosecute Bertram because the statute of limitations had expired. The statute of limitations is a time limit set in state law for filing criminal charges after an alleged crime is committed. The limit is generally longer for more serious offenses. Little contends the statute of limitations had not expired for crimes such as sexual battery and official misconduct. He criticized McCorkle and Bergacs for their claims they couldn't remember such a serious allegation against a member of Henry County's law enforcement community. "Should we be concerned about the rash of amnesia in Henry County?" Little said. Although McCorkle and Bergacs no longer hold elected office, both men have continued in government service. McCorkle is now a school resource officer for South Henry School Corp. Bergacs is one of four public defenders listed on the county's website. As IndyStar reported in June, Bergacs and McCorkle are among several county officials who have been named as defendants in lawsuits filed by Bertram's accusers. Others include Community Corrections Director Joni Williams and Henry Circuit Court Judge Kit Crane. Read IndyStar's investigation: County official abused clients for years. Leaders knew of allegations, but failed to stop him The lawsuits accuse Henry County officials of effectively running a sex trafficking operation and are seeking damages under federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and the Rackateer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO. Henry County officials have denied in court records that they failed to properly respond to the abuse allegations. Bergacs and Crane have also argued they are entitled to qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that protects government officials from civil liability unless they violate clearly established law. Contact IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at 317-444-6081 or Follow him on X: @IndyStarTony. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Despite denials, email shows former sheriff knew of sex abuse claim
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Arizona woman beaten unconscious by man during concert at Rose Bowl
An Arizona woman who did not want to be identified is recovering after a brutal beating over the weekend at a sold-out concert in Pasadena's Rose Bowl Stadium that was captured on video and has since gone viral. The frightening ordeal unfolded Saturday night after the victim and her fiancé drove hours from Phoenix to see the Grammy Award winning electronic band RÜFÜS DU SOL. It's unclear what time exactly the incident unfolded, but the victim told KTLA that when she and her friend got to their seats, they accidentally spilled a bit of a drink on a man in front of them. 'We apologized immediately, but he yelled that it was intentional and ran off, leaving his companion behind,' she told The Festive Owl, a music news outlet who first reported the woman's story. 'We apologized to her and thought it was over.' Unfortunately, unidentified concertgoer returned about a half hour later, began screaming at the victim and her friends, threatening violence and while she said she tried deescalating the situation by apologizing again, the man punched her in the face, knocking her unconscious and causing significant bleeding. In footage of the violent attack, the man is seen launching into a group of people and throwing at least five punches, while someone behind him attempts to pull him out of the crowd. At one point in the video, the victim can be seen sitting on the ground, head tilted down as her fiancé, who also reportedly took some blows to the head, attempted to shield her. Missing California mother and baby found dead in SUV submerged in water No one is coming to a concert for that interaction,' Ethan Dubone, who was at the show that night, told KTLA. 'Everyone is coming for a good time.' Since the footage has gone viral, many have complained that the venue did a less than stellar job of managing the sold-out stadium show. 'Among the long laundry list of complaints was crowd crushing in tunnels, people pushing in overcrowded stairs, aggressive drunk people, arguments, fans blocking exits, incredibly long shuttle lines, and, sadly, assault,' the independent Los Angeles-based music blog Grimy Goods reported. Another concert attendee that evening was Christina Molina who, along with her daughter, was seated a few rows behind the victim. 'I literally had people pressed up against my back, all of them blocking that entire walkway,' she told KTLA. So, crowd control was nonexistent.' Not only were the aisles jam packed, according to Molina, she said she saw people openly doing drugs and wonders if crush of the huge crowd mixed with drug and alcohol use was a factor in the violent beating. 'I've never seen any venue that has allowed the people to stand there in the walkways. It's a hazard,' she added. 'There were multiple security vendors working the venue. It wasn't just one vendor, it was multiples, and the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing.' As for the victim who is back home in Arizona, she said she is seriously bruised and sore but expects to fully recover. She has also been in contact with police, who confirmed that they are actively trying to identify him. KTLA has reached out to Rose Bowl officials to ask about venue security policies and is awaiting a response. Anyone who recognizes the man in the video is encouraged to call the Pasadena Police Department. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Catherine Galliford, the RCMP officer who launched a sexual harassment lawsuit against the force, dead at 58
Catherine Galliford, a former high-profile RCMP spokesperson who later sued the force alleging widespread sexual harassment, has died at the age of 58. Galliford, who spoke on behalf of the force during high-profile cases like the Air India bombing trial and the investigation into serial killer Robert Pickton, rose up the RCMP ranks in the 90s and early 2000s and served as a corporal. In 2011, she spoke exclusively to CBC News, claiming long-term sexual harassment over two decades with the RCMP. Her treatment, which she said left her with PTSD and agoraphobia, eventually prompted her to file a lawsuit that was settled in 2016. It led to a wave of other civil suits from other officers that forced a reckoning within RCMP died Friday of liver cancer in Kamloops, B.C., according to her friends and fellow former RCMP officers Janet Merlo and Cheryl Jarvis, who were with her. Merlo was one of the lead plaintiffs in a civil suit that alleged sexual harassment within the RCMP, and credited Galliford for inspiring her to come forward. "It was Catherine's interview that encouraged the rest of us to speak up and find our voices," Merlo told CBC News. "She was the inspiration," she added. "If she hadn't done that interview, I would have never said anything. I would have just went to my grave quiet like everybody else. But she was definitely the person that lit that torch for me personally."Both officers said that, despite over $100 million being paid out to sexual harassment victims within the RCMP, they both receive complaints from serving members every week alleging mistreatment. Jarvis, who also said she was sexually harassed while on the force, said she wants Galliford to be remembered for being a compassionate and empathetic police officer whose courage should inspire others within the RCMP to speak up. "I am truly hoping, in her [memory], that torch is passed to those that are working now, that she gives them the strength to stand up and say, 'It is still going on. This is still what is happening to us' ... use it as your battle cry to say enough is enough," the former Mountie said. Spoke on behalf of Pickton victims Galliford was born Dec. 28, 1966, and Jarvis said she grew up in the Vancouver area before moving to Prince George, B.C. The former spokesperson used a background in journalism to inform her career as a media spokesperson, according to Jarvis. Jarvis, Merlo and Galliford all graduated together from the RCMP academy in 1991. Though she fronted the RCMP's handling of many high-profile cases, Galliford later spoke on behalf of Pickton victims at the inquiry into the serial killer's case. Galliford told CBC News in 2011 that police were indifferent to the investigation, saying investigators were more interested in padding their paycheques and drinking alcohol than catching a serial killer. Jarvis said that her testimony on behalf of the family of Pickton's victims showed how empathetic and compassionate Galliford was. "She tried to bring some closure to the families ... to say, you know, 'Someone is listening,'" Jarvis said. "She was a true amazing woman that way." Reported PTSD During her 2011 interview with CBC News, Galliford revealed numerous instances where she had been the victim of sexual harassment over her two decades on the force, as well as her struggles with PTSD and agoraphobia. "If I had a dime for every time one of my bosses asked me to sit on his lap, I'd be on a yacht in the Bahamas right now," she said in that interview. In May 2012, Galliford filed a civil suit against four officers, an RCMP doctor, the attorney general of Canada, who oversees the RCMP, and B.C.'s justice minister. The suit was eventually settled in 2016, though Galliford said she lost everything after she went public, including her position on the force and her home. Merlo said that the stress caused by her treatment on the force likely contributed to the cancer that eventually caused her death. "It broke my heart that her whole life was torn to shreds for nothing more than telling the truth," Merlo said. Merlo says she hopes Galiford's life and death encourage other victims to speak out. "I think the call for action now has to be to current engaged RCMP members who see this, and they know what's going on, but they're afraid to speak out," she said. "In Catherine's name and in Catherine's memory, you have to find your voice and go public with this." Solve the daily Crossword
