Lindsay Corcoran

Worcester District Attorney’s Office

225 Main St # G301, Worcester, Mass. 01608

Feb. 2, 2018 (via email)

Dear Ms. Corcoran,

Under the Massachusetts Public Records statute (§ 66-10 et seq.), I am requesting access to the
following public records:

1. Any policies on file with the Worcester District Attorney’s office that stipulate that prosecutors
are to impound and/or redact police reports that contain information that is unnecessary for
the probable cause determination or prejudicial to the accused person’s rights to a fair trial.
2. Any correspondence (paper or electronic) between Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early
Jr., command staff and/or prosecutors (including policy notes, advisories or reminders) about
any policy of the office relating to the practice of moving to impound and/or redact police
reports that contain information that is unnecessary for the probable cause determination or
prejudicial to the accused person’s rights to a fair trial. Such records would include any
correspondence that discusses the frequency with which such redactions/impoundments have
been made, or any specific cases that were held up as examples of when any such policy should
be applied.
3. Any statistics the Worcester District Attorney keeps on the number of times the office has
moved to impound and/or redact police reports that contain information that is unnecessary for
the probable cause determination or prejudicial to the accused person’s rights to a fair trial.
4. Any documents that show policy as to the manner in which State Police assigned to Worcester
are to file police reports and/or statements of facts in court. Also, if they exist, any documents
(emails, etc.) in which the Worcester DA’s office complained about extraneous details being
contained in State Police reports.

If you deny any or all of this request, please provide the specific exemption from the public
records law you are using as grounds for such denial. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Brad Petrishen
Reporter, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
508-793-9464