Ramsey detective loses appeal By Associated Press
November 1, 2002
A former Boulder police detective has lost her second bid to recover
damages from supervisors who would not allow her to publicly rebut
claims that she botched parts of the JonBenet Ramsey murder
investigation.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that Linda Arndt's
wish to dispute critical media reports was not a public concern.
The ruling affirmed a lower court decision last year that a police policy of
limiting public information about an investigation was proper.
Police argued that the investigation could have been jeopardized if Arndt
had been allowed to speak.
Arndt was the first officer on the scene when the body of 6-year-old
JonBenet was found in her parents' basement Dec. 26, 1996.
After media reports criticized the investigation, Arndt sought a statement
from then-Chief Thomas Koby in her defense.
Arndt alleged her rights to free speech were violated when she was
barred from disputing the reports herself.
She was criticized for allowing JonBenet's father, John Ramsey, to search
the home without an accompanying police officer.
Other criticisms included placing a blanket over the girl's body, possibly
contaminating evidence.
http://www.insidedenver.com/drmn/ramsey/article/0,1299,DRMN_1296_1517053,00.html
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