ELIZABETH CITY – The SBI is already on the case, Governor Roy Cooper is calling for a special prosecutor, and, despite the activists’ tantrum, the judge sees no compelling public interest in releasing the full bodycam footage.
But what is compelling is that District Attorney Andrew Womble, who has seen the full footage, says the video shows Andrew Brown in trying to flee arrest, made contact with officers twice before shots rang out.
District Attorney Andrew Womble says the body camera video should be disclosed to the family of Andrew Brown, but not released to the public for 30 days (a delay to allow NCSBI to complete its investigation and Womble to decide on charges) @13NewsNow
— Evan Watson (@EvanWatsonNews) April 28, 2021
Womble on body cam video: The car of #AndrewBrown was stationary when deputies approached and grabbed door, Brown backed up and “made contact” with law enforcement, then drove forward and “makes contact” with deputies, and *then* shots are fired. @13NewsNow
— Evan Watson (@EvanWatsonNews) April 28, 2021
An attorney for “unnamed defendants” (presumably deputies) says “officers are distraught” and “we believe the shooting was justified.”
He opposes public release of video, saying there isn’t a “compelling public interest” (that community wants, but doesn’t *need* it) @13NewsNow
— Evan Watson (@EvanWatsonNews) April 28, 2021
Ultimately, the judge ruled against release of the video until the SBI investigation is complete. That fact is bound to further enrage protesters and activists that use everything available to provide the incendiary for more agitation and chaos.
And yet, the DA’s account, if accurate, is exactly why allowing the truth to emerge before grabbing pitchforks and turning your community into an ash heap is always a wise decision.