Standard-Examiner: Shooting Suspect Had Bomb

We're hoping that local law enforcement investigators and County Attorney Smith will now expand their investigations to identify and punish those "sources close to the investigation" who seem hell-bent to "try this case in the public press"

Disturbing Tim Gurrister story in this morning's Standard-Examiner, quoting a "source close to the [1/4/12 Ogden Shootings] investigation speaking on condition of anonymity" that Weber Crime Scene Investigation unit technicians came across the bomb in a closet of [suspect Matthew David Stewart's] home, and that the same investigators "...also found a picture of the suspect dressed as a terrorist... posing in a suicide bomber's vest.":

• Shooting suspect had bomb

And why do we consider this story to be disturbing? Because in the early stages of the investigation, wherein all investigators are operating under strict policy to keep their mouths shut, some anonymous source close to the investigation has now gone straight to the public press and released highly inflammatory information which is plainly designed to pollute the local jury pool.

Even more disturbing is Mr. Gurrister's report that "[a] news release on the incident is expected today from the Weber County Attorney's Office."

As to the latter, we'll welcome whatever information we can get from Dee Smith's office, so long as information-wise, law enforcement authorities don't "cherry pick." In the Standard's main article, and down in the lower comments section, in the midst of a story where law enforcement officials have been unusually tight-lipped, we're only only getting discussion of the incriminating information which as been leaked; and thus the lumpencitizens are already uttering words such as "demonize" and "cover-up" and "independent FBI investigation."

Don't forget we live in the United States of America folks, where the suspect, Mr. Stewart, is entitled to the presumption of innocence, and more than a "showcase" trial. Given the manner that the incriminating evidence is being "leaked" however, that's something which Mr. Stewart foreseeably might not get.

Our view here at Weber County Forum? If the Weber County Attorney is intent to release information regarding this case, they should release ALL of it, or alternatively, nothing at all. Additionally we hope that local law enforcement investigators and County Attorney Smith will now expand their investigations to identify and punish those "sources close to the investigation" who seem hell-bent to "try this case in the public press."

That's our take and we're stickin' with it.

So what say our gentle readers about all this?