When Filming Police Isn't Enough | Cop Block
Recently, a Pennsylvania judge prohibited the release of a video depicting Pennsylvania officer Lisa Mearkle fatally shooting an unarmed man in the back. The rationale was that public release of this video would taint the jury pool and impair Mearkle’s right to a fair trial (more here). While any accused individual should indeed be given a fair trial, it is interesting to note there is no similar a concern when it comes to releasing prejudicial information about an injured or dead victim. News articles covering recent police brutality occurrences are quick to point out thevictim was a felon, was a possible gang member, or (god forbid) was drinking alcohol. It is rare for a judge to issue orders prohibiting members of the media from releasing prejudicial or inflammatory information about the victims, out of fear the victim’s civil rights/personal injury/wrongful death lawsuit could be negatively affected.
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