By Susan Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY—All the records related to the suspension of Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy S. Moore are currently being held under seal. On Wednesday, The Alabama Political Reporter, through its attorneys Ed and Morgan Cunningham, filed to intervene in the case, seeking an order to unseal all of the documents.
“We believe the public not only has a right to know, but the court has a duty to allow the public access to these records,” said Editor in Chief Bill Britt. “I find it deeply troubling that they suspended the Chief Justice and is keeping the details from citizens and the press.”
Chief Justice Moore has repeatedly requested the records be unsealed, but the court remains silent.
“There is no reason to keep the case sealed, but the court has refused to unseal it,” said Moore’s attorney Mat Staver. “So, the question that the public has to have in their mind is ‘What is the court wanting to hide?'” If there is nothing to hide, then unseal the record.” Staver further stated that sealing court documents are meant to protect the “confidentiality of the litigants,” not the court.
APR’s Attorney agrees, “We stand with The Alabama Political Reporter in the firm belief that transparency is of the utmost importance in a free and democratic society,” said lead attorney Ed Cunningham. “All court filings in the Moore matter should be made public. An informed public is an absolute necessity in a democracy.”
APR’s filing states, “Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore has said that the court records in the above-captioned case, currently under seal, contain information relevant to understanding the proceedings that have culminated in a judgment in the Court of the Judiciary, suspending him from office for the rest of his term.”
“We believe it is time for the people of Alabama to know all the facts in this case not just what the court wants us to know,” said Britt. “Is this Nicaragua? Do we have a state run by some tinpot dictator? Even though it seem that way at times we are better than that.”
APR continues to monitor the court and will be reporting its action in the coming days and weeks.
