Jail Lets Alleged Child Rapist Watch Videos of His Attacks

A loophole in Washington state law allows a man charged with sexually assaulting children to watch child porn—in a county jail, no less, KIRO-FM reports. Weldon Gilbert has chosen to defend himself, and all evidence in his case must be made available to the defense, including video of Gilbert allegedly sexually assaulting young boys. Authorities found Gilbert in possession of more than 100 videos and still photos, some of which may have been shot by Gilbert himself. "What's absurd about this is we don't give defendants contraband like cocaine, or guns, or stolen property, so why should we have to give them child pornography?" the county prosecutor asked.

The prosecutor told KIRO-FM that the loophole can, and will be fixed, but will likely take some time. He also said Gilbert would view the video evidence in the company of an investigator in a room separated from other inmates, and that he would be watched by jail guards. (More child sexual abuse material stories.)