Judge says he’ll rule within 30 days on whether or not to unseal Huisentruit case search warrant (VIDEO)

MASON CITY — A judge says he will rule within 30 days on whether or not a sealed search warrant as part of the case of missing KIMT anchor Jodi Huisentruit should be unsealed.

Attorneys representing private investigator Steve Ridge filed a motion late last month arguing that the warrant regarding GPS data for two vehicles connected to John Vansice should be opened since Vansice died in December and any ongoing investigation into his involvement in the matter has now ceased. County Attorney Carlyle Dalen resists the motion, saying the motion to unseal makes no sense and could hinder the investigation.

Ridge attorney Nellie O’Mara believes not releasing the contents of the warrant is hindering the case moving forward.  “They’re trying to get more help for the investigation, yet he’s not even willing to unseal a search warrant that may have information in there that people may know, that may be able to help out with the investigation. I think he’s really contradicting himself there where he’s asking for help with the investigation but yet won’t release the information that may help with it.”

Ridge attorney Jesse Marzen says the public has an interest in knowing what police are doing and that it’s time now to bring full resolution regarding the case with Vansice’s family.  “I believe that this family your honor also has an interest in clearing the name of this individual who lived the last years of his life under the cloud of suspicion and accusation based on this situation.”

Dalen says opening up the warrant will give the public facts and circumstances in the case that are not out to the general public, possibly hurting the investigation.   “If you have a witness, or if you have somebody that comes in front of law enforcement at this point of time, and they say certain information, how do we know if they are accurate or not if this information is out to the general public? You can’t figure out if they’re telling the truth. But if only the officers know, and this is information that only the officers know, well then they can evaluate if that person is telling the truth. There’s a lot of reasons why all these facts and circumstances should not be given out to the general public.”

Dalen says not even a portion of the warrant should be unsealed, and the fact that it’s been almost 30 years since Huisentruit disappeared that should not factor into a decision.  “This investigation is no more slowed up because of anything, it’s a long investigation and very difficult, but it’s ongoing. In a lot of cases, you have new technology, you have new things that might draw light to your investigation. Sometimes you have some eyewitnesses that come forward at a later date. That’s why a lot of these people are here supporting it because they’re still involved, all these people, in this process.”

District Senior Judge James Drew stated that he will issue a ruling within 30 days.

See video from today’s hearing below (Pool video courtesy KAAL)