The case against a tech blogger who purchased a stolen iPhone gets interesting as the media puts pressure on the California judge to release the affidavit used to raid his home.

The Associated Press and other news organizations are asking a judge to unseal the search warrant affidavit used to raid the home of a technology blogger who posted pictures and details of an iPhone prototype.

Court documents listing the legal reasons for searches are usually made public within 10 days. But the affidavit supporting the April 23 raid of Gizmodo.com editor Jason Chen’s house and car remains sealed.

Gizmodo had posted photos of what appeared to be a next-generation iPhone 4G found in a California bar. Apple Inc. later acknowledged the device belonged to the company.

Joining in the court filing are Bloomberg News, CNET News, the Los Angeles Times, Wired.com, the California Newspaper Publishers Association and the First Amendment Coalition.

They argue that the affidavit will help determine whether the raid was appropriate. California law protects journalists from having to turn over certain material during a search.

Showing 4 comments

  1. Ian Bell at 10:56am 6th May 2010 I do believe the phone WAS stolen. Why didn't he turn it into the bar owner? That is what any other reasonable person would do.
  2. groberts116 at 10:31am 6th May 2010 Why is the term stolen used. The Iphone was left in a bar, found and sold to a Gizmodo journalist. The journalist home was broken into without probable cause. This appears to be a breach of constitutional rights. If anyone should be charged it should be Apple.
  3. Ian Bell at 10:28am 6th May 2010 I find it odd that Apple sent representatives to the suspects house and asked to search it - and this is before the police went there. Who does Apple think they are?
  4. the obnoxious at 10:13am 6th May 2010 This is getting ridiculous.
    Why are there road blocks to the Judicial system that were NOT there in the first place.
    Corps hiding behind bushes.
Close Suggestion Study Shows AT&T Network Quality is Actually Getting Worse
View Article