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Prosecution Seeking To Protect Informant In "iPhoneGate"
   

The latest has the prosecutors having filed an argument that says details of the search are to be kept sealed to protect the identity of an informant who had confidentially participated in the investigation, according to AppleInsider.A report out of Wired claims that the filing "is the first indication that police cultivated an inside source prior to raiding the home of Gizmodo editor Jason Chen."Wired was led by the Associated Press and the LA Times, who had placed requests that the courts release the sealed search warrant affidavit that had been used in the raid on Chen's house.San Mateo County deputy district attorney Chris Feasel had written that the media's right to access court documents does not "outweigh the Peoples' right to protect the sanctity of an ongoing investigation, nor does it outweigh the rights of the people to protect the identity of persons who may have provided information to law enforcement in confidence during the initial stages of investigation."Chief deputy district attorney Stephen Wagstaffe had said earlier that the affidavit is "not a public record and thus is not subject to requests under any public-records act."  The search is being deemed improper because Chen's home office could have the potential to be recognized as a newsroom, and because of that, would be protected under shield laws that are utilized to prevent police from investigating journalists' sources.But, prosecutors are stating that the search was being related to a felony theft investigation rather than being an effort to determine what sources Chen was using as a journalist.Image courtesy of everyjoe.com 
     

http://www.maclife.com/article/news/prosecution_seeking_protect_informant_iphonegate