Judge Blocks Media From Full Access of Court Hearing for Accused Child Predator
by John Gage
OMAHA — An Omaha judge is denying expanded media coverage of a case involving a man accused of chasing two young girls and attempting to sexually assault them. Judge Craig McDermott denied a request by WOWT for video and audio recordings ahead of a hearing for Zachary Vinton.
Vinton, 34, has been charged with two felonies of intent to commit child abuse after chasing an 11 and 12-year-old girls in a park in western Omaha. McDermott, in his order denying expanded media coverage, said there was “good cause for exclusion.”
“Under the circumstances of this particular proceeding such coverage would interfere with the rights of the parties to a fair trial,” he said.
Vinton’s lawyers had objected to WOWT’s request, saying that the hearing would “involve the presentation and discussion of Defendant’s private medical records, mental health history, diagnoses, and treatment information.”
His lawyers further argued that media coverage of Vinton’s “mental health evidence” would “prejudicially influence the public’s perception.”
Parts of Vinton’s medical history have been detailed in court documents available to the public. Since he turned 19-years-old, Vinton has been under a court-ordered conservator, and according to the documents, he has been diagnosed with “autism, learning disability, and bipolar disorder.”
Documents detail that he “lacks the sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning his person” and has the intelligence of a 10-year-old.
In an affidavit from his recent arrest, a caretaker told law enforcement that Vinton had been sexually abused as a child, and this had caused him to have “sexual ideations” that had led him to be terminated from previous jobs and kicked out of establishments due to his behavior.
Vinton Shows Up to Court
Vinton appeared in court on Friday, where prosecutors argued for an increased bond while his attorneys argued that the judge should not be putting a “disabled” person in jail if he could find an alternative.
Don Kleine, the Douglas County Attorney, told WOWT it was important for the public to be protected.
“If somebody has a mental health issue, we need to figure out where that person belongs in the system,” Kleine said. “But there’s also again the very important aspect of protecting the public because when that person hurts somebody, it’s no different than somebody else doing it.”
The judge set conditions for Vinton’s release that include 24-hour adult supervision, GPS monitoring that the Douglas County Sheriff’s office is able to access, and compliance with medical treatment.
The judge kept Vinton’s current bond set at $20,000.
John Gage is the executive editor of The Plains Sentinel.
(Screenshot WOWT)
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