Media, sheriff ask judge to release officers video of Andrew Brown shooting
04/28/2021 15:39
(Reuters) - A North Carolina judge heard media organizations and the local sheriff on Wednesday push for the public release of body camera video showing law enforcement s shooting death of Andrew Brown, Jr., while the district attorney argued against it.
Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten and roughly 20 media organizations have filed petitions to release the video of the attempted arrest and fatal shooting by sheriff s deputies last Wednesday, arguing disclosure was in the public interest.
At Wednesday s court hearing, District Attorney Andrew Womble argued against immediate release, saying it could jeopardize an ongoing State Bureau of Investigation probe. He said there were four body camera videos of the shooting.
April 28, 2021 2:04 p.m.
A North Carolina judge on Wednesday ruled against media organizations seeking the quick public release of body camera footage showing the fatal law enforcement shooting of Andrew Brown, Jr.
However, Pitt County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Foster ruled that members of Brown’s immediate family, as well as an attorney for the family, would be able to see additional body camera footage of the incident within 10 days.
In addition, Foster said, he would consider the release of the videos between 30 and 45 days from Wednesday, allowing time for state and FBI investigations into Brown’s death.
“The state is to notify the court when such investigations are completed, and the court in its discretion will consider, at that time, further release of the video,” Foster said.
USA TODAY
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Body camera footage of sheriff s deputies fatally shooting a Black man won t immediately be released after a judge ruled Wednesday to allow at least a month for state authorities to complete an investigation into the shooting.
Andrew Brown Jr. s family will be allowed to view additional footage of his death within 10 days, Judge Jeff Foster ruled. He also would reconsider whether to release the videos in 30 to 45 days after the State Bureau of Investigation completes its inquiry and a charging decision can be made.
The ruling comes after a week in which public outrage over a lack of information on the incident has been building and amid a chorus of demands for accountability and transparency in nightly peaceful protests.
Allen G. Breed/AP
toggle caption Allen G. Breed/AP
Glenda Brown Thomas displays a photo of her nephew, Andrew Brown Jr., on her cellphone at her home last week in Elizabeth City, N.C. Brown was shot and killed by sheriff s deputies attempting to execute a warrant. Allen G. Breed/AP
A judge in North Carolina ordered law enforcement body camera footage of the death of Andrew Brown Jr. disclosed to his family, but not released to the public until completion of a state investigation into Brown s death.
Judge Jeffrey Foster ordered the videos disclosed to Brown s family within 10 days.
A judge in Pasquotank County has denied a petition from several media outlets to release to the public the body camera footage related to the shooting of Andrew Brown Jr. Brown was shot dead by Pasquotank County sheriff deputies when they were serving a warrant on April 21.
Superior Court Judge Jeff Foster said that the videos are of public interest, but contended that they contain sensitive information and risk jeopardizing the safety and reputation of individuals involved in the video. He also cited ongoing investigation and court proceedings for his decision, saying, “The release at this time will create a serious threat to the fair and impartial and orderly administration of justice.”