Hoffner case files to remain closed

May 4, 2013 at 9:14PM
Minnesota State, Mankato football coach Todd Hoffner speaks to reporters as his wife, Melodee, right, attorneys Jim Fleming, left, and Gerald Maschka, second left, listen, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, in Mankato, Minn. Hoffner, who had been sidelined by accusations of child pornography involving his own children, reacted with relief Friday after a judge dismissed the case, saying he was "thankful to be waking up from this nightmare." Hoffner was effectively cleared when a Blue Earth district judge agr
Todd Hoffner speaks to reporters as his wife, Melodee, right, attorneys Jim Fleming, left, and Gerald Maschka, second left, listen, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, in Mankato. (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Undisclosed investigative files in the case against a Mankato football coach cleared of child pornography charges will remain sealed. Blue Earth County District Judge Krista Jass ruled Friday that publicly disclosing investigative data in the case against former Minnesota State University, Mankato coach Todd Hoffner would "adversely impact the Hoffner family's right to privacy."

After a TV station requested access to the files in December, Hoffner's attorneys asked that undisclosed data and images as part of the case remain sealed. At that time, Jass ordered all files temporarily sealed until she could review them.

Hoffner was charged in August with child pornography for videos he shot of his three young children as they performed skits after a bath. School officials discovered the videos after he turned in his malfunctioning cellphone to the university's IT department.

In November Jass dismissed the charges saying the videos were innocent child's play.

Richard Meryhew

@DatelineMN

Minnesota State head football coach Todd Hoffner was cleared of child pornography charges relating to videos he made of his children. Hoffner, along with wife Melodee and lawyers held a press conference in Mankato to discuss the dropping of all charges. Todd Hoffner spoke to the media as his wife Melodee Hoffner, right, looked on. In background is lawyer Gerald Maschka. (MARLIN LEVISON/STARTRIBUNE(mlevison@startribune.com (cq - ORG XMIT: MIN1211301720240172
Minnesota State head football coach Todd Hoffner was cleared of child pornography charges relating to videos he made of his children. Hoffner, along with wife Melodee and lawyers held a press conference in Mankato to discuss the dropping of all charges. Todd Hoffner spoke to the media as his wife Melodee Hoffner, right, looked on. In background is lawyer Gerald Maschka. (MARLIN LEVISON/STARTRIBUNE(mlevison@startribune.com (cq - ORG XMIT: MIN1211301720240172 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

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