Scott family (NC) wants video released, city won't

[jojoandleo]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The grieving relatives of a man who was killed by the police here watched videos on Thursday of the fatal shooting, a wrenching experience that they said revealed no hint of aggression in him and left the family members convinced that the videos should be made public. But the city’s police chief, who had arranged for the private viewing, held fast to his decision not to release the recordings.

The wife and other relatives of the dead man, Keith L. Scott, watched his killing from two angles, recorded Tuesday by police dashboard and body cameras, and “it was incredibly difficult,” a family lawyer, Justin Bamberg, said in a statement.

He said the family had come away with more questions than answers and a different interpretation from the account offered by the police, who have said that Mr. Scott, 43, was shot after he got out of his car brandishing a gun.

“When told by police to exit his vehicle, Mr. Scott did so in a very calm, nonaggressive manner,” Mr. Bamberg said. “While police did give him several commands, he did not aggressively approach them or raise his hands at members of law enforcement at any time.” When an officer opened fire, he added, “Mr. Scott’s hands were by his side, and he was slowly walking backwards.”


On Thursday night, hundreds of people gathered at an intersection in central Charlotte, holding signs and chanting, “We want the tapes!” in a peaceful demonstration.

Mayor Jennifer Roberts ordered a midnight-to-6-a.m. curfew, the first since the unrest began, though the demonstrations were largely peaceful, and the police did not enforce the curfew as it went into effect. The police said that two officers were being treated after protesters sprayed them with a chemical. There were no immediate reports of injuries to civilians.

On Thursday evening, some protesters marched to the police headquarters and held a moment of silence, fists raised in tribute to a man who was fatally shot during the previous night’s protest and to those killed by the police. They marched to the county jail and chanted for the inmates behind the slats. Some inside blinked their lights off and on in apparent solidarity.

Later, Interstate 277 was briefly shut down as demonstrators moved onto the roadway, and the police fired smoke to try to disperse them.

Mr. Scott’s death touched off violence in Charlotte on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. As hundreds of National Guard troops and State Police officers fanned out across the city on Thursday in an effort to head off further violence, Chief Kerr Putney of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police brushed aside demands by activists, community leaders and the news media to make the police video public.

“We release it when we believe there is a compelling reason,” he said.

Until they viewed the videos on Thursday afternoon, Mr. Scott’s relatives had said they were uncertain whether they should be released to the public, according to Mr. Bamberg.

While the family members differed with the police on some major points about the videos, they seemed to be in agreement with Chief Putney on one aspect. “It is impossible to discern from the videos what, if anything, Mr. Scott is holding in his hands,” they said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, Chief Putney said, “The video does not give me absolute, definitive visual evidence that would confirm that a person is pointing a gun.” He added later that he could not see Mr. Scott’s hands. But the chief, speaking at a news conference, said that eyewitness accounts and other evidence suggested that Mr. Scott was holding a pistol at the time he was shot, and that a weapon had been found at the scene.

Mr. Scott was black — as is the officer who shot him, Brentley Vinson — and his death added to a long list of killings of black men at the hands of law enforcement that had rocked cities and spurred protests around the country, bolstering claims of racial bias in policing.

During Wednesday night’s demonstrations, a protester was shot in the head in what the police described as a “civilian on civilian” episode. But some protesters accused the police of opening fire. Early Thursday evening, just about the time a crowd was gathering, the police announced that the man had died earlier in the day and that the department had begun a homicide investigation.

The police identified the victim as Justin Carr, 26, without elaborating further on his death.

Some black leaders and protesters have called for the public release of the videos from the outset, and those demands have grown louder in the succeeding days.

“There must be transparency, and the video must be released,” said the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, the president of the North Carolina N.A.A.C.P.

He said the protesters who had taken to the streets here by the hundreds since Mr. Scott’s death were “rising up against systems of injustice that protect officers who kill.”

“It’s about saying we are against bad police, because bad police make it bad for good police,” Mr. Barber said.

In a day of rapid developments and rolling news conferences, local, state and federal officials called for calm. Protests had escalated the previous night, with some people smashing windows and storefronts, and the police used tear gas to disperse crowds and made 44 arrests. Nine civilians were injured, two officers had minor eye injuries, and three officers had heat exhaustion.

At 12:30 a.m. Thursday, local officials declared a state of emergency, calling for help from state forces, who deployed during the day in a show of strength throughout the city. Gov. Pat McCrory said he started mobilizing the National Guard early Wednesday in anticipation of that request, but he refused to second-guess Chief Putney and Mayor Roberts for not asking for help sooner.

The State Bureau of Investigation began an investigation of the case, the governor said, and critics of the police asked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation to step in. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch said the Justice Department and the F.B.I. were monitoring events and offering help to local officials.

“I know that the events of recent days are painfully unclear and call out for answers,” Ms. Lynch said. “But I also know that the answer will not be found in the violence of recent days.”

Protests began Tuesday night after Officer Vinson shot Mr. Scott while the police were serving a warrant on someone else. Starkly different accounts have emerged about what happened. The police say Mr. Scott was holding a gun before he was shot; friends and family say it was a book. Though the videos do not offer definitive proof on their own, they support the official version of events, Chief Putney said. (OF COURSE HE DOES)

“When taking in the totality of all the other evidence, it supports what we’ve heard and the version of the truth that we gave about the circumstances that happened that led to the death of Mr. Scott,” he said. He added that the department’s practice was not to release video to the public, to protect the integrity of investigations.

Demonstrators and black community leaders said the outrage was not just about what had happened to Mr. Scott, but was fueled by a much broader context. “We need folks to understand there is a direct connection between the rioting and the creation of two separate groups based on class and race for decades,” said Justin Perry, an addiction counselor who is black and took part in the protest.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus pressed the Justice Department to do more by starting a thorough investigation into recent police shootings that had led to nationwide protests. Lawmakers from the 45-member group marched from the Capitol to the Justice Department to deliver a letter to Ms. Lynch, reinforcing the significance of their concerns.

Both Chief Putney and Mayor Roberts sought to reassure residents that the city was prepared to avert another night of violence. Ms. Roberts said that the city was safe. “Our transit system is running; our businesses are open; our center city is here to welcome you,” she said on Thursday morning.

Still, several large businesses encouraged employees to stay home after the chaos.

Wells Fargo told approximately 12,000 employees that they were not expected to report to work in Charlotte’s Uptown neighborhood. Those unable to work remotely would be paid regardless, a spokesman said. Ally, the financial services company, closed two offices in Charlotte, affecting 900 employees. Duke Energy asked 500 employees and contractors to work remotely, and Fifth Third Bank asked the same of its employees

www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/keith-scott%e2%80%99s-family-sees-videos-of-his-killing-and-says-the-public-should-too/ar-BBwwjLY?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=DELLDHP

So, police chief just says the video confirms the police version (even though you can't see what is in his hands), but won't release the video. Sounds legit.

[isabel]

What is a "compelling reason" for releasing that kind of footage, if not a request by the family and a major outpouring of support for the victim by the community/country?

[jojoandleo]

Sept 23, 2016 9:15:15 GMT -5 isabel said:

What is a "compelling reason" for releasing that kind of footage, if not a request by the family and a major outpouring of support for the victim by the community/country?

"video that won't contradict the police version of events."

[WanderingWinoZ]

Bullshit.

There is also some new law that goes into effect October 1 that is much more restrictive about releasing police video.

[CrazyLucky]

Even if he did have a gun, the lawyer says he clearly had his hands at his side and was walking backward. The police can only shoot if in imminent danger. I don't think that meets the criteria. I agree that it's fishy they won't release the tapes.
Here's how they defend this ridiculous new law regarding tapes:
"Uniformity, clarity, transparency and quickness – those are the four things this law provides,"
and
"In fact, some citizens in videos we might need to protect in videos," McCrory said, "because a lot of times we have innocent people that might be in a video. We have videos that might be in domestic violence disputes and so forth. Listen, Don, I've got to get back to work. I've got a lot of work to do."

One person commented that the law negates the point of the body cam, which I totally agree with. Roy Cooper opposed it, so if he gets elected, maybe he'll be able to get rid of it.

[pixy0stix]

His wife's video has been released - www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/keith-scott-police-shooting-video_us_57e55fb6e4b08d73b83101d1?

[georgeglass]

Umm... have y'all watched his wife's video? That "gun" is not there one second and there the next.
www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/9/23/1573488/-Breaking-Did-Someone-Plant-Gun-At-Charlotte-Shooting?detail=facebook

[katb]

Sept 23, 2016 12:43:28 GMT -5 georgeglass said:

Umm... have y'all watched his wife's video? That "gun" is not there one second and there the next.
www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/9/23/1573488/-Breaking-Did-Someone-Plant-Gun-At-Charlotte-Shooting?detail=facebook

I was trying to see the gun in the video because I had seen the photos on the news website.  And you are right, but where does it come from?  The police officer in the brown pants does a weird hand motion right before but it is unclear if he kicked out from under the body or slipped from his pants.  

[heat40]

Just saw the new video his wife gave to the media. I cannot imagine watching my husband in this situation. And to think we have come to a place where you can't even do anything, without first remembering to record. even if it means recording your husband die in front of you.

This world is fucked up.

[wakka]

I wonder if newspapers can gain access via FOIA?

[anodyne]

In the wife's video, what is a TBI?

[pugz]

Sept 23, 2016 12:51:10 GMT -5 anodyne said:

In the wife's video, what is a TBI?

Traumatic brain injury?

[was5]

Sept 23, 2016 12:51:10 GMT -5 anodyne said:

In the wife's video, what is a TBI?

A traumatic brain injury.

[themysteriouswife]

Sept 23, 2016 12:51:10 GMT -5 anodyne said:

In the wife's video, what is a TBI?

Brain injury.

She was extremely calm for the situation. I don't know that I could have continued to film. I would have been a blubbering mess running toward them. That woman will forever be haunted in ways I will never understand.

[was5]

Sept 23, 2016 12:49:30 GMT -5 katb said:

Sept 23, 2016 12:43:28 GMT -5 georgeglass said:

Umm... have y'all watched his wife's video? That "gun" is not there one second and there the next.
www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/9/23/1573488/-Breaking-Did-Someone-Plant-Gun-At-Charlotte-Shooting?detail=facebook

I was trying to see the gun in the video because I had seen the photos on the news website.  And you are right, but where does it come from?  The police officer in the brown pants does a weird hand motion right before but it is unclear if he kicked out from under the body or slipped from his pants.  

I didn't think I saw a gun at all. The analysts, or whatever they are, on MSNBC pointed out the 2 things on the ground, but I saw at least one fall out of the hands of an officer and it was floppy, like fabric. I was reading some comments on the MSNBC website (99% of whom misinterpreted what the wife was saying) and one of the more logical commenters said that it was a pair of gloves one officer was giving to the other. This was to the side of Mr. Scott's body, not by his feet. The previous still image released showed something by his feet that wasn't in this video.

[jojoandleo]

Sept 23, 2016 12:51:10 GMT -5 anodyne said:

In the wife's video, what is a TBI?

Traumatic Brain Injury.

[anodyne]

Thanks guys.
Hopefully this will push the police to releases their video.

[underwaterrhymes]

He had a fucking book.

But I don't give a shit if he had a fucking gun. It's an open carry fucking state.

They need to release the fucking video.

[Miss Phryne Fisher]

Sept 23, 2016 12:59:37 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

He had a fucking book.

But I don't give a shit if he had a fucking gun. It's an open carry fucking state.

They need to release the fucking video.

GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH The material fucking point that EVEN THE DAMNED GUN NUTS AND ANTI GOVERNMENT ASSHOLES I KNOW DO NOT GET. LAWS ARE NOT WHITE PEOPLE LAWS. FUCK. 

[katb]

Sept 23, 2016 12:55:28 GMT -5 was5 said:

Sept 23, 2016 12:49:30 GMT -5 katb said:

I was trying to see the gun in the video because I had seen the photos on the news website.  And you are right, but where does it come from?  The police officer in the brown pants does a weird hand motion right before but it is unclear if he kicked out from under the body or slipped from his pants.  

I didn't think I saw a gun at all. The analysts, or whatever they are, on MSNBC pointed out the 2 things on the ground, but I saw at least one fall out of the hands of an officer and it was floppy, like fabric. I was reading some comments on the MSNBC website (99% of whom misinterpreted what the wife was saying) and one of the more logical commenters said that it was a pair of gloves one officer was giving to the other. This was to the side of Mr. Scott's body, not by his feet. The previous still image released showed something by his feet that wasn't in this video.

Yup, I should have watched all the way through - I just kept flipping back through those 5 - 7 seconds.  I still do not see the gun in between the feet that the still photo has shown. 

[OscarQ]

1. Not a gun, a book. 2. Even if it was a gun, it's an OC state as was previously posted. 3. If there was a gun that magically appeared all evidence is pointing towards a resurgence in police carrying drop weapons to plant in an effort to legitimize these murders.

[elleblue]

Sept 23, 2016 13:36:18 GMT -5 OscarQ said:

1. Not a gun, a book. 2. Even if it was a gun, it's an OC state as was previously posted. 3. If there was a gun that magically appeared all evidence is pointing towards a resurgence in police carrying drop weapons to plant in an effort to legitimize these murders.

Sadly this would not shock me at all. Sickening. 

[JLV]

Oh my god, that video. His poor wife, I could not even imagine what she went through in that moment and what she continues to go through.

[lulu13]

Sept 23, 2016 13:45:22 GMT -5 JLV said:

Oh my god, that video. His poor wife, I could not even imagine what she went through in that moment and what she continues to go through.

Its awful!! She was saying everything she could to save her husband. I cannot imagine how helpless she felt/feels.

Between this and Crutcher who was practically deaf in one ear and had a prosthetic eye, the girl suffering from ADD etc that was pepper sprayed and this case with the victim having a TBI its time to figure out how to handle cases in which there can be very extenuating circumstances. I'm not down playing the issues of racism but rather adding another element that needs to be addressed.

[darnkatz]

That video is fucking awful. I am heartsick for her and for their family. Why the fuck woudl anyone think this is okay? What the fuck.

[cookiemdough]

Sept 23, 2016 14:16:33 GMT -5 @stilljustash said:

now we're having to record our husbands' deaths to hope for justice?

dear Lord, when is the end?

I don't know. I really don't know.

[gretchenindisguise]

I was listening to an NPR segment yesterday where the guy was grilling the Mayor about why she wouldn't release the video. She just kept walking herself in a circle. He even brought up that Tulsa released the video promptly, and she continued with the bs.

[gretchenindisguise]

Sept 23, 2016 13:41:24 GMT -5 elleblue said:

Sept 23, 2016 13:36:18 GMT -5 OscarQ said:

1. Not a gun, a book. 2. Even if it was a gun, it's an OC state as was previously posted. 3. If there was a gun that magically appeared all evidence is pointing towards a resurgence in police carrying drop weapons to plant in an effort to legitimize these murders.

Sadly this would not shock me at all. Sickening. 

That's what the St. Louis case that got reported on yesterday or the day before was, right?

[anodyne]

Sept 23, 2016 14:24:44 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I was listening to an NPR segment yesterday where the guy was grilling the Mayor about why she wouldn't release the video. She just kept walking herself in a circle. He even brought up that Tulsa released the video promptly, and she continued with the bs.

Yes.
ETA: Somehow it quoted the wrong post, but yes the St. Louis video was released where a cop planted a gun

[elleblue]

Sept 23, 2016 14:25:38 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Sept 23, 2016 13:41:24 GMT -5 elleblue said:

Sadly this would not shock me at all. Sickening. 

That's what the St. Louis case that got reported on yesterday or the day before was, right?

That was the one from a few years ago, that was just recently brought back up because of the findings, right? If so, yes. If it's another then I don't know. There are so many of these incidents (read: murders) that I'm having difficulty keeping track.