Jail Lets Alleged Child Rapist Watch Videos of His Attacks

Acting as own lawyer, Weldon Gilbert must be given access to evidence
By Sarah Whitmire,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 13, 2011 2:00 PM CDT
Alleged Child Rapist Allowed to Watch Video From Sexual Encounters
Weldon Marc Gilbert appears before Pierce County Superior Court Judge Ronald E. Culpepper at the City County Building in Tacoma, Wash. during his arraignment, Friday, Nov. 9, 2007.   (AP Photo/The News Tribune, Janet Jensen)

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.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X