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Child pornography case dropped against ex-teacher

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Confused | 10:14 a.m. July 22, 2008
What do this mean, these charges where dropped in the interest of justice. What has changed from then to now? This story is missing quite a bit of information.
mee2 | 10:37 a.m. July 22, 2008
Other people had access to his computer and they could not prove he was responsible for the images or even knew they were there. Too bad.
About Time | 11:02 a.m. July 22, 2008
Sounds like to me old chief wiggum... oh wait that's the bumbling police chief of the Simpson's, is trying to cover his bogus arrest of Mr. Klitgaard by trying to take this lie to a lower court. I think I smell Whinham trying to cover his butt for the slander he has laid on Mr. Klitgaards good name.
Comments continue below
Finally | 11:08 a.m. July 22, 2008
Interest of Justice means Mr. Klitgaard isn't guilty of the things he was accused of and prosecutors know it. Therefore, in the interest of justice to Mr. Klitgaard, the charges were dropped.
kutchek | 11:14 a.m. July 22, 2008
Yes its missing a lot of info. It means that the prosecutor determined that the evidence showed that Mr. Klitgaard did not download any child porn.
uncannygunman | 11:19 a.m. July 22, 2008
mee2: I'm assuming you mean "too bad" that the real perpetrator (perhaps this very guy) couldn't be identified and charged, not "too bad" that the teacher won't face trial if, in fact, he had nothing to do with it.
Chris Plummer | 1:12 p.m. July 22, 2008
So now this guy's life is in Shambles and he lost his profession. Nice job cops.
I Know | 2:07 p.m. July 22, 2008
Actually, the prosecutor, after further forensic investigation, determined that the pictures in question were most likely put on the computer by malware, another website, or another program, without Mr. Klitgaard's knowledge.
Chris Plummer | 2:23 p.m. July 22, 2008
RE:I Know. If that is the case then who is to blame when these images are found? The Network admin? The person who owns the computer? the designer of the malware? No one?
Being ignorant of the dangers of the internet seems like a valid excuse to me. Being ignorant of the facts before ruining someones life with child porn charges has no excuse.
This is where the seemingly black and white issue of child porn gets into the GREY area.
I Know | 2:39 p.m. July 22, 2008
RE: CHRIS. I completely agree. I believe that the blame is to lie with the one who created the images and the one who cause them to be put on the computers through whatever means. Unfortunately, most child pornography is created in other countries and the local police have no recourse.
I also agree that there is no excuse for ruining a man and his family with false charges.
Steve - Re: mee2 | 3:35 p.m. July 22, 2008
Why do you say "too bad"? Do you want charges to stick to this man when he might very well not be guilty? What if it really was someone else who had access to the computer that's responsible?
Oh Man | 3:42 p.m. July 22, 2008
Re:Chris and I Know

From my understanding of the case, the teacher took his computer to the school administrator when he noticed inappropriate pop ups or something to that effect on his computer. HE TOOK THE COMPUTER TO THEM TO REPORT HE FOUND STUFF. It's an absolute outrage that this FACT could be overlooked by the school and police! (WHY ISN'T THIS FACT BEING REPORTED BY THE NEWS AS WELL?) Had the teacher NOT done "The Right Thing" and NOT taken his computer in, this case would have never happened, he would still be teaching and everything would be fine. But he is punished by doing the right thing!

Thank Goodness the prosecutor saw this case for what it was and dropped all charges!
Friend of the Family | 4:57 p.m. July 22, 2008
It is true that Mr. Klitgaard took his computer into the district IT people because of pop ups. This has been a devastating experience for the Klitgaard family and anyone who lives in Roy, UT should think about the fact that their Chief of Police is more interested in "witch hunts" then seeking justice. I know the details of this case and believe me when I say this could happen to any of us.
Anonymous | 5:11 p.m. July 22, 2008
There is something to learn from this thronging
For judging to soon causes wronging
A great family's been hurt
Their name dragged through the dirt
It seems they've been through a "Nifonging"
Wrongful accusations... | 5:55 p.m. July 22, 2008
...hurt people very much. I am so glad this teacher did not have to go through the agony of a trial and jail/prison term for something he didn't do. I hope he will be able to teach again, but if not, I hope that he will find work in something he enjoys, and that people will not "look" at him as though he were a pervert. It happens, and it is very sad. My husband spent 6 months in jail last year on a false accusation that we were unable to disprove. He's now on the Sex Offender's Registry, has to attend expensive counseling where they are trying to force him to admit to his "crime", which never occurred. One son and one sister have disowned him, we have been denied life insurance. He has to have a "supervisor" (me) wherever he goes. He attended an LDS church high council court, where they found him innocent of all charges, but even though he's temple-worthy, he can't attend until he's off probation. All of our retirement savings went for legal fees and living expenses last year. He's extremely depressed. I'm glad this teacher didn't have to suffer this, too. It's wrong!
Thomas | 6:01 p.m. July 22, 2008
Too often we are too quick to judge and too quick to condemn.
JUSTICE PREVAILED! | 8:23 p.m. July 22, 2008
The comments about the Roy Chief of Police are correct he was on a witch hunt against Klitgaard.� He was never interested in the truth! The reports in the Ogden Standard has false hoods all through them and people just believe everything they hear. Kam and his family will never regain all that has been wrongly stripped from them.� The students of Roy High have been robbed of one of the best teachers they have ever had there. The high school and community can thank Roy City Chief of Police for this great injustice!! May what goes around comes around for Chief Whinham!!
hastings | 9:29 p.m. July 22, 2008
Old student of Kam I knew he was innocent from the beginning I am so happy that this came through with good news if it is true about Cheif Whinham slandarizing Kam on some witch hunt then i hope he gets punished
untrue statements in paper! | 10:53 p.m. July 22, 2008
The Standard Examiner has more than once printed hurtful false statements about this case. I don't know if they did it knowingly or they were just quoting the Roy City Chief of Police. Chief Whinham seemed so blood thirsty for a conviction in this case that his tactics were down right wrong and bizarre! Roy City Citizens PLEASE remember what was done here to a great teacher and mentor by your Chief of Police. I encourage all who believe in Kam to write to the Standard Examiner in support of him. Then drop your subscription and subscribe to a more credible paper such as the Deseret News!!
A voice from Ohio | 9:39 a.m. July 28, 2008
Kam Klittgard was my high school teacher and has been a big brother to me. He is an outstanding man and is greater than all this mud that has been thrown at him. He is a friend, a comedian, a husband and a father and he does not deserve all that is happening to him. This man deserves all the respect in the world for keeping his chin up through this mess. Thank goodness that the case was dropped, lets hop that the Chief of Police can unbury his heart to find it in himself to let an innocent man move on with his life. I know that contraversy makes good news but this is someones life we are playing with and for what?...to sell more papres?!? Enough is enough. I love you Kam, you are the best!
A friend to Kam and his family | 4:36 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008
I have know Kam and his family for over 20 years, they have worked for me in the entertainment business, and even lived with our family while he was finishing school. He is a good, righteous, and faithful young man with a angel for a wife and a bunch of beautiful, happy children. "Shame on those responsible for changing their lives by rushing to judgement and accusing Kam in an effort to sell a story, or gain media recognition." This is a cruel price to pay for a falsely made accusation. It will be interesting to see what apoligies are made to this family for the dammages that have been done to them. I am proud of Kam for their courage, and dedication to truth! Kam our prayers continue to be with you and your family. I sincerely hope the school district, the local police Chief and the media will find some way to make things right with you even if it's just an apology. Most importantly you will continue to always know that you were in the right in this situation. We all knew it, and your Father in Heaven knew it too!
Jennifer-former student | 11:40 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008
I can't believe I'm just hearing about this today (guess thats what I get for living out of state). My heart breaks for Kam and his family and all they've gone through. He was my favorite teacher (98-00), and I'm so sorry for all this garbage that he and his family has suffered through. I hope that people believe his innocence and not the lies perpetrated against him.

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