We hope the judge unseals what is reportedly an undisclosed indictment in the 1996 murder of JonBenét Ramsey decides to do so.

Granted, the unsolved killing of the 6-year-old pageant queen is a high interest case, but the public interest is more than prurient.

The release of the document also would bring transparency to an important function of the judicial system without compromising grand jury secrecy.

Earlier this year, The Daily Camera’s Charlie Brennan reported a grand jury had voted in 1999 to indict JonBenét’s parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, on charges of child abuse resulting in death.

The newspaper also reported that the district attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, refused to sign the indictment and pursue prosecution due to a lack of evidence. The legal bar for conviction is higher than for indictment.

With the passing years, hopes of solving the case have grown dimmer. But this action could provide insight as to what happened.

Judge Robert Lowenbach on Thursday asked Boulder District Attorney Stan Garnett why the indictment should remain private. Garnett’s office on Friday said the judge can proceed as he “deems appropriate.”

One of the justifications for secrecy has been to prevent release of information impugning someone not indicted. But the allegation is that the Ramseys had been indicted.

Disclosure of the indictment could provide a better understanding of why authorities acted as they did, and bring us closer to knowing what happened to a child found murdered in her own home.