`We just want it to end,' Teresa Earnhardt says.


April 8, 2001
3:14 PM EDT

Teresa Earnhardt, widow of seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, released a statement Sunday about her continued opposition to newspapers and other media outlets' attempts to gain access to Earnhardt's autopsy photographs.

Three newspapers and a Web site have challenged, in two Florida courts, a new Florida state law that limits access to autopsy photos. The law was signed by Gov. Jeb Bush on March 29.

Teresa Earnhardt maintains that The Orlando Sentinel and its sister companies have started a legal and media campaign to challenge the new law, which is in conflict with an agreement The Sentinel reached with the Earnhardt family during court-ordered mediation more than two weeks ago.

The agreement allowed an independent medical expert to review the autopsy photographs and other relevant material and make a determination about the cause of death.

"As grateful as we are to the Florida Legislature and Governor Bush for their sensible approach to protecting an individual's right to privacy, I want to let the NASCAR community and the people of Florida know just how much pain this ordeal is causing my family," Earnhardt said.

"Each day we are faced with new threats that these photos will end up on the Internet. We just want it to end. No one should be subjected to the kind of harassment and torment to which we are by the media."

To challenge the new law, The Sentinel and its sister publication, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, requested autopsy photos of every auto accident victim in the year 2000, as well as other victims, in Broward and several other Florida counties. When denied access by the court, the newspapers filed suit.

NASCAR president Mike Helton on Sunday repeated the organization's support of Teresa Earnhardt. Helton said he was disappointed with the continued efforts of Florida media organizations to gain access to the photos.

"Through the whole ordeal we have been very supportive of Teresa and her efforts, particularly as they relate to issues and challenges she has in Florida," Helton said.



Okay people, let's send more letters to the Orlando Sentinel......


The Orlando Sentinel

Editor: [email protected]
Mike Dame
Executive Producer

Tanya Hanson
Senior Producer, Entertainment

Kris Hey
Senior Producer, News

Ed Moss
Senior Producer, Multimedia

Jeff Case
Producer, Sports

Kelly Fitzpatrick
Producer, Entertainment

Grant Heston
Producer, News/Business

Kellie Kenney
Producer, Sports


The Florida Government

Governor Jeb Bush
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Telephone: (850) 488-4441
Fax: (850) 487-0801

Tom Feeney
Speaker of the House,
of the State of Florida

John M. McKay
President of the Senate,
of the State of Florida



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