Possibly belying the two-day-old claim that the process the FBI used to penetrate the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone 5c would only function on that one device, the law enforcement agency has agreed to assist Arkansas investigators unlock a pair of iOS devices. Earlier today, and less than 24 hours after the request was made by the county attorneys helming the investigation, the FBI agreed to aid prosecutors in the state access data on unknown models of iPhone and iPod owned by a pair of teenagers accused of killing two people.
Investigators took control of the iPhone after an arrest was made last July in Texas. The iPod in question was delivered to investigators last week, after sitting in the defense’s evidence locker since a seizure of the suspect’s belongings.
After Monday’s confirmation that it no longer needs Apple’s help to retrieve data from the iPhone 5c used by the San Bernardino shooter, the Department of Justice said that “it remains a priority for the government to ensure that law enforcement can obtain crucial digital information to protect national security and public safety. Either with cooperation from relevant parties or through the court system.”
The FBI’s unlock help is in response to a request made by Faulkner County attorney Cody Heiland for assistance, made after a judge on Tuesday agreed to postpone the trial of one of the suspects from the beginning of April to June 27. The specific installed operating system versions installed on the devices are not known, nor is it known if the FBI will utilize the same process it paid for to penetrate the San Bernardino iPhone.
Hiland refused to comment to the New York Times about details of the case. However, the attorney said of the FBI’s rapid approval that “we always appreciate their cooperation and willingness to help their local law enforcement partners.”
Suspect Hunter Drexler’s attorney Patrick Benca confirmed that the FBI is assisting in the case, adding that “we’re not concerned about anything on that phone.” Prosecutors, pointing to recorded phone conversations, claim that the iPod was used to communicate details of the murder, and believe that there is evidence on the device.
