A judge is releasing certain evidence in the case of a Miami couple charged with beating their adoptive daughter to death.
Judge Sarah Zabel issued a ruling Thursday after several news outlets argued the documents are public record. Zabel sealed certain evidence she described as "unduly prejudicial" and "inflammatory," saying the publicity could taint a jury pool and prevent the couple from receiving a fair trial.
Attorneys for Jorge and Carmen Barahona asked to seal all evidence due to media attention.
"While the media has a right to report newsworthy events, the defendants have a constitutional right to be tried in Miami-Dade County by a fair and impartial jury," Zabel said.
"The court has a duty to protect this right, which is paramount to the media's right to obtain information provided to the defense via discovery."
The Barahonas have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges after their daughter's body was found partially decomposed in the back of Jorge's truck in February. Her brother survived, but was badly burned after he was doused with a toxic chemical.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
