They didn't publish it, a newspaper did. One of the biggest controversies in this case has been the possible contamination of the crime scene. I am surprised it took some reporter this long to dig the truth of the matter out. The reporter interviewed the neighbors and found out that the police were there first. What was the SLPD supposed to say when the reporter questioned them? As embarrassing as it was, I think the truth is better here because it would serve no purpose to stonewall the press on the issue. Any defense lawyer would have discovered the same as he interviewed the people involved.
As to why it happened I suspect that most policemen would think "runaway" first rather than thinking of the home as a crime scene. As the police reviewed this fiasco they discovered that their officers were improperly trained. They have admitted to us that perhaps there's a bit of Keystone in the department and that they are going to correct it. It doesn't mean that they are insincere in their quest to solve the crime.
This may make sense to you but doesn't ring true to me.