Chelsea King's family fights to keep crime scene photos, records private

The parents of slain San Diego County teenager Chelsea King are asking a judge to prevent details of her death from becoming public.

A King family spokesman said, "to honor their daughter's memory and to allow the community to heal," they don't want police records released.

The Associated Press and several San Diego media outlets have sought autopsy and other law enforcement records in the case and want a gag order lifted. A judge will consider the request to keep records -- including photos -- private next week.

John Albert Gardner III, 31, pleaded guilty last week to strangling King, 17, during a rape attempt and stabbing another teen, Amber Dubois, 14, during a separate rape attempt. He also admitted attacking another female jogger, who escaped.

A plea bargain was made to spare him from the death penalty. Under the agreement, Gardner will be returned to prison for life without the possibility of parole.

In a news conference with Dist. Atty. Bonnie Dumanis, Amber Dubois’ father, Maurice Dubois, said the plea bargain will allow “justice and closure” for his daughter. Brent King, Chelsea’s father, said lengthy court proceedings would have had a “destructive effect” on their 13-year-old son, Tyler, and the community and distract from the family’s campaign for tougher laws for sex offenders.

-- Shelby Grad

Photos: Amber Dubois, left, and Chelsea King. Credit: Handout photos

Comments

[john]

Just another example of a family with money trying to influence public records. Don't these people work, their always on TV. We get it already, we're sorry for your loss. If you want healing, get off your soap box already, and the city will return to normal.

[Tee]

Hopefully the judge will honor their request. I can't imagine the anguish they're feeling, but I can relate to the need to further protect their beloved daughter - even if she is no longer among the living.

[FC]

They should have made that part of their conditions for going along with the plea.