MANAKTO – A Blue Earth County judge will privately review the human service files of the children of accused murderer Joel Munt.
 
The in camera examination of the file comes at the request of Munt’s public defenders as they look to maybe glean comments made by the young children who witnessed the shooting of their mother to therapists.

The request was agreed to by prosecutors.
 
During Monday’s hearing, attorney Scott Cutcher told the judge the “if the kids are saying things negative about her, we want to explore.” In turn, there could be statements by the children that could work in favor of the prosecution. The judge will read the file and determine what, in anything, from the children's human service files should be provided.

Judge Kurt Johnson has yet to rule on a defense motion to exclude Munt’s statement to police shortly after he was arrested.

Judge Johnson also denied a defense request to drop a no contact order preventing Munt from having contact with his children.