Citing Marsy's Law, S.D. court won't release name of allegedly attacked state trooper who shot man - Entrepreneur Generations

As six states consider ballot initiatives to enshrine Marsy's Law in their state constitutions, a South Dakota case shows how the law, which grants crime victims certain rights, can be applied.

Last week the state Attorney General's Office issued a report after a Highway Patrol trooper shot a man twice on Sept. 16, but refused to provide the officer's name, gender, age, or years of service. Spokesperson Sara Rabern said she could not share those details because the trooper invoked Marsy's Law. The trooper feared for their own safety because the person they shot was out on bond. A Marsy's Law amendment was approved by voters in 2016, Arielle Zionts reports for the Rapid City Journal.

According to the AG office's report, 21-year-old Kuong Gatluak threw what looked like a flat, empty beer can at the trooper during a traffic stop in Union County, then tackled the trooper and tried to steal their gun. The trooper shot Gatluak in the left shoulder and bicep during the struggle. Galuak is charged with two counts of felony aggravated assault and is out on a $10,000 bond.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said Marsy's Law protects victims even if formal criminal charges are not filed against the alleged perpetrator. Since Gatluak allegedly attacked the trooper, the trooper is a victim, he said. As such, Marsy's Law affords the trooper the right to privacy and the right to prevent disclosing information that could be used to find or harass them, Zoints reports.

from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/2q7QGxK Citing Marsy's Law, S.D. court won't release name of allegedly attacked state trooper who shot man - Entrepreneur Generations

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