The highest court in Massachusetts is currently considering whether to release audio recordings from the court hearing where Harmony Montgomery was placed in the care of her father, who later killed her.
As previously reported by CrimeOnline, Harmony’s father, Adam Montgomery, was found guilty of her murder. However, he had been granted custody of her in a Massachusetts court before he relocated with Harmony to New Hampshire.
Harmony, who was born in 2014, had been living primarily with her mother, Crystal Sorey. In 2019, due to Sorey’s struggles with substance abuse, Harmony spent some time in foster care. After gaining custody, Adam Montgomery, along with his wife Kayla Montgomery, moved with Harmony to New Hampshire.
Court TV reports that no cameras were allowed at the February 2019 custody hearing but an audio recording exists. The recording became the center of Monday’s hearing.
At the hearing, Jennifer LaManna, representing LC Media, argued that the public interest in the custody case justified releasing the audio recording.
“The right to speak includes a right to listen,” LaManna said to the judge. “The freedom of the press encompasses the right to gather information.”
“Nobody knows. Not the legislature, not anybody outside the parties themselves and the OCA (Office of the Child Advocate), knows exactly what happened during that hearing that resulted in the court granting custody.”
MassLive reports that privacy laws in Juvenile Court exist to “protect children and families from the stigma associated with parents who struggle with substance abuse and those who commit heinous acts.”
LaManna contended that in this situation, where Montgomery does not object to the release and Sorey has openly acknowledged her substance abuse issues, the laws should not be applied to a state agency.
Boston’s 25 News reports that “some of the justices” agreed with LaMamna.
“This is one of those extreme cases where maybe the veil of privacy should be pierced,” Justice Delila Argaez Wendlandt said.
It is unclear when the justices will deliver a ruling in the case, as they frequently take several months to finalize their decisions.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Harmony Montgomery/Hamdout]
