By Police1 Staff
AIKEN, S.C. — Dash cam video of a December traffic stop that ended in an officer’s death will not be released, a judge decided Thursday.
Circuit Judge Jack Early sided with a lawyer who said the video’s release would prevent a fair trial for accused cop killer Stephon Carter, 19, according to The Associated Press. Charges against Carter include murder for the death of Officer Scotty Richardson and attempted murder for reportedly shooting at another officer during a traffic stop Dec. 20.
Prior to Thursday, Early’s order to block the public from the footage was temporary, but it will now be permanent - at least until a trial. Reporters requesting to view the tape and take notes were also denied.
“The defendant’s constitutional right to a fair and impartial trial mandates I continue the restraining order,” Early ruled, not citing an earlier ruling by a different judge who said dash cam must be released unless proven harmful to an investigation.
Prosecutors, who say the case is eligible for the deathy penalty, supported the defense’s motion to keep the tape from the public.