Smith: Why We Demanded To See Video

We didn’t ask that the video be shown. The decision to show the video in court was made by Judge Lodge. If the tape had not been placed in evidence, we certainly wouldn’t have sought it out. I know emotion clouds the larger issues. But our view is that courts are open to citizens. That is our system of justice. Holding back evidence shown in court isn’t censorship. It violates constitutional protections in place to ensure the justice system works and defendants receive a fair trial. If we were simply interested in sensationalism. You would be seeing a lot more detail in our reporting.