Grieving mother wants her daughter's murder kept out of the news

Photo by: Christof Stache © 2008 Associated Press

By: Caitlin Hogan
According to The Forum, Penny Ripplinger held a press conference Thursday with local Fargo media outlets, begging local newspapers, television and radio stations not to use police reports about her daughter’s death. Her daughter, Whitney Carlson was murdered by the girl’s brother Sergei Isaac Carlson in July 2007.

“By the media obtaining and possibly using this information, my pain and privacy and my baby girl would be exploited for the sake of selling newspapers and gaining listeners to your airwaves,” said Ripplinger.

The recent attention to the case stems from Carlson’s sentencing to life in prison with the possibility of parole on October 23. Following the trial, Ripplinger and her family were disappointed to learn that The Forum, a Fargo newspaper, and KFGO AM radio requested police documents and evidence, including Carlson’s confession and Ripplinger’s 911 phone call. The documents became public record after the sentencing.

KVRR and WDAY, local television stations, requested police documents before the Ripplinger’s press conference and KVLY/KXJB, another local television station, made requests after the press conference.

According to Matthew Von Pinnon, a Forum editor, requesting the entire police file in a murder case allows the media to have a full understanding of the incident. At this time, the police files have still not been released to the newspaper.