If I understand it correctly, a sealed search warrant would be available to a defendant during the discovery phase in a trial, but that doesn't mean they are privy to the information before that time.
I am curious as to where people are coming from in regard to the warrant being sealed to protect MR. Can anyone shed any light on that? Ditto for the discussions about a confidential informant.
From what I have gathered in conversations with LE (not involved directly in this case), merely wanting to "re-check" previous leads, or search for more random evidence would not provide enough probable cause for a new search warrant being granted for MR's home. There must be new information that causes the investigators to believe that another search will provide evidence - especially this late in the investigation.
One thing that I think would fit with the time frame between D's remains being found, and this new search of MR's house would be forensics testing from the remains that has been finished. Usually a time period of 4-6 weeks is given for tests, and it's been roughly about 5 weeks since his remains were found.
As always, all of the above is MOO! :cow: