From the NewsObserver:

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper defended the secrecy of the public records. Cooper was away at a conference, and his spokeswoman issued this statement when a reporter asked to speak with him: “Our investigators and prosecutors believe this step is necessary to help them pursue leads during a critical phase of this criminal investigation. This case questions the integrity of the criminal justice system, and a thorough investigation is vital.”

Superior Court Judge James Ammons, based in Fayetteville, came to Johnston County to sign the order early Tuesday, a half-hour before an N&O reporter expected to examine the files. Ammons had no other business to attend to Tuesday; he signed the order in judge’s chambers and was gone within an hour.

Tom Lock, the resident Superior Court judge, was on duty Tuesday morning and available to deal with the request.

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