Judge: Ragusa recording can be released

Prosecutors will release a transcript of a recorded phone call between former teacher Stephanie Ragusa and one of her alleged student victims, after a judge ruled today that it should be made a public record.

Ragusa's attorney, Robert Herce, argued that releasing the information would prevent his client from getting a fair trial in Hillsborough County. He cited the extensive media coverage so far. He also questioned whether officers violated his client's rights in obtaining the recorded conversation and said he would file a motion later to have the contents of the call suppressed before trial.

But Hillsborough Circuit Judge J. Rogers Padgett said in his decades as a judge he's never had trouble seating a jury.

The recording is expected to be made public tomorrow.

--By Colleen Jenkins, Times staff writer