Judge refuses to allow defense to copy child porn for analysis

WARREN — A Trumbull County judge has refused a defense attorney’s unusual request to be provided with copies of purportedly illegal child pornography her client is accused of possessing and sharing.

Atty. Sarah Thomas Kavoor of Warren has argued that she needs to be able to provide the images to an expert witness so that he can analyze them and determine if they are child pornography and whether they have been altered. She says it’s a matter of due process.

Judge W. Wyatt McKay of common pleas court ruled against the request Wednesday in the criminal case of Jeremy M. Hollingsworth of Warren, who is charged with nine counts of downloading and sharing child pornography.

“Courts have held that restrictions on a defense expert’s ability to possess child pornography do not violate the constitutional rights of the defendant,” Judge McKay ruled.

If convicted, Hollingsworth, 38, could get 70 years in prison.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com