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Before the court are identical motions filed by the Union Leader and Foster's Daily Democrat to unseal two previously sealed items of evidence: a collection of letters found in the home of the defendant, and a mental health evaluation report.

On February 27, 2002, the defendant filed a Motion to Unseal in which he asks the Court to permit him to examine the plaintiff's fee agreement with his present counsel and also asks the Court to provide him with a list of any and all sealed or ex parte filings in this case Although the defendant's motion suggests that none of the pleadings in this case should be sealed, it is clear that he has focused in on the sealing of the plaintiff's contingent fee agreement. Thus, the Court in the within order will only discuss the defendant's request in that regard. Concerning the general sealing of this case, the Court notes that because it contains a great deal of financial information about the defendant's assets and liabilities, it would be potentially damaging to all parties in this litigation to have that information disseminated to members of, the general public.

The defendant, James B. Hobbs, is charged with one count of theft by misapplication of property and five counts of forgery. The defendant has moved for reconsideration of this court’s order granting the motion of the Nashua Telegraph (“the Telegraph”) to unseal the defendant’s motion to appoint counsel and accompanying financial affidavit. The Telegraph objects. The court conducted a hearing on this motion on March 20, 2006. Upon due consideration of the parties’ arguments and submissions, and the relevant law, the court finds and rules as follows.