Nebraska Judge Rules That Author Mark Pettit's Lawsuit To Release Serial Child Killer John Joubert's 'Death Row Drawings' Should Proceed

Denies State's Motion to Dismiss Case

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Jan 27, 2014, 03:23 ET

LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lancaster County District Court Judge Steven D. Burns has ruled that Mark Pettit's lawsuit against the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) should proceed and has denied the State's motion to dismiss the case.

The lawsuit against NDCS was brought by former KMTV-3 Anchorman and Investigative Reporter Mark Pettit. Pettit is the author of A Need to Kill: The True Crime Account of John Joubert, Nebraska's Most Notorious Serial Child Killer. Pettit is seeking to have NDCS release two drawings made by Joubert that Pettit claims prove Joubert was fantasizing about killing more children—even as he awaited execution for the murders of two young Nebraska boys.

Prior to his execution in Nebraska's electric chair, Joubert wrote and signed a letter authorizing NDCS to release the drawings to Pettit so that they could be analyzed by mental health professionals. Up until now, NDCS has refused to do so.

"We are very pleased with Judge Burns' decision," said Pettit. "The public has a right to know about and see the Joubert drawings and we believe they should be turned over without further waste of taxpayer dollars through additional legal proceedings."

Other law enforcement professionals agree.

"We have maintained all along that the drawings hold significant historical and investigational value," said Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov. Polikov was on the team that pursued and ultimately prosecuted Joubert for the 1983 brutal murders of Danny Joe Eberle and Christopher Walden. "The State should cooperate and make the drawings available to the public."

Judge Burns has given the State 14 days to answer why the drawings should not be made public.

Mr. Pettit is being represented in the case by attorney Bob Creager.

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SOURCE Mark Pettit