Judge denies effort to block release of Krentz file

Documents related to the investigation of a 2010 killing of a rancher along the U.S.-Mexico border must be released under Arizona’s public records law, a judge ruled Tuesday. Authorities said Robert Krentz was gunned down on his property near Douglas. Investigators initially said they believed that a scout for drug smugglers was to blame for his killing, but the case remains unsolved. The killing prompted renewed calls in Washington for increased border security amid speculation that the death was somehow tied to smugglers. Krentz’s wife, Susan, had sought to block the release of the case file as authorities continue to investigate, claiming her privacy interest outweighed the public’s right to access under Arizona public records laws. Cochise County Superior Court Judge Charles Irwin heard arguments Tuesday from attorneys representing The Arizona Republic and the Arizona Daily Star. The judge then ruled against Krentz’s efforts to block authorities from releasing the file. “The law recognizes the importance of public transparency and public access to law enforcement records, especially in a case like this one,” said attorney David Bodney, who represented the Republic. Susan Krentz declined to comment Tuesday. Her attorney didn’t return a telephone message. Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels has said the Krentz case remains a top priority and that his office had developed numerous “persons of interest” who might have information on the killing. He has declined to discuss the status of the case in detail...more