Charges Dropped Against Newspaper Photographer

Charges will be dismissed against Idaho Press-Tribune photographer Rob Bartholomew who was arrested Friday on obstructing and delaying authorities.

Canyon County Prosecutor Dave Young said on Monday that Bartholomew was not properly informed of where he could and could not stand as officials exhumed the body of a woman whose death is now considered potentially suspicious.

“I think justice was served,” Bartholomew said. “I’m glad my First Amendment rights were upheld.”

An Idaho State Police officer said Bartholomew had crossed into a restricted area last Friday, but Young said no perimeter had been established at the Canyon Hill Cemetery where the body of Kristi Wight, 30, was buried.

“Clearly, a big mistake was made when Mr. Bartholomew was arrested in the first place,” Idaho Press-Tribune Publisher Jim Barnes said. “We commend the prosecutor’s office for quickly righting what was an obvious wrong.”