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AMES, IOWA (AP) -- A district court judge has ruled that home addresses of professional witnesses should be released to defenseattorneys and their clients.

District Court Judge Michael Moon ruled that the Story County Attorney's office must turn these addresses over within 14 days in the case of Ronald Beaston, who's charged with attempted murder.

But those whose jobs often require them to testify in court, like medical personnel or police, question such rulings. They say they fear their personal information could be circulated among alleged criminals in jail.

Most county attorneys usually list business addresses or county of residence of these witnesses instead of their home addresses.

But some public defenders say by withholding that information, they don't get equal access to witnesses.

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