Alleged Vanderbilt University rape victim wants records withheld

NASHVILLE, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The alleged victim in a rape case involving four Vanderbilt University football players said releasing certain records in the case could cause her further harm.

In an affidavit filed Tuesday, the unidentified woman said release of the records, sought by a coalition of Tennessee media, "would subject me to harassment, abuse and intimidation."

The media coalition sued the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County this month over its refusal to release third-party records from a rape investigation that led to the arrest of the four Vanderbilt players, the (Nashville) Tennessean, a member of the coalition, reported Wednesday.

It added third-party records are routinely filed and released to the news media.

Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson said in an affidavit filed by the city he strongly opposes releasing the information, citing "consequences (that) include prejudicing the jury pool (and) harming the defendants' right to a fair trial."

Frank Gibson, public policy director of the Tennessee Press Association, said the case could be moved to another county, and noted law enforcement agencies have often "abused the rules of criminal procedure" to withhold information.