Black Lives Matter PAC and Neronha Battle Over Release of Body Camera Footage
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
The Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee (BLM RI PAC) is calling on Attorney General Peter Neronha to immediately release the body camera video of officers Domingo Diaz and Mitchel Voyer following what the group calls "yet another use of excessive force that left a minor on a stretcher perceived dead by multiple community members who were present."
But, Neronha is refusing to release the videos.
His office said in a statement to GoLocal that the "investigation into the incident involving Providence Police officers on July 9 is active and ongoing. The investigation is not, however, complete nor substantially complete. Witness interviews and the evidence gathering remains underway."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Prosecutors have a duty under Rhode Island law to refrain from pre-trial publicity that can prejudice the rights of the accused. Last year, the Office sought and obtained guidance from the Supreme Court’s Ethics Advisory Panel confirming that this Office may release body camera footage where an investigation is substantially complete and pursuant to a request under the Access to Public Records Act," adds Neronha's office.
BLM said, "The actions deemed by Mayor [Jorge] Elorza himself as 'appalling' must be released to the public as the family, the community and the State of Rhode Island has the right to know what happened on the night of July 9."
GoLocal was first to report the incident in which a BMW with what proved to be juveniles drove around the city shooting at people and objects with a BB gun.
As GoLocal reported, "Shortly after 1 AM Friday morning, police said an employee of Brown University called police reporting that she had a rifle pointed at her by one or more of the subjects from inside this vehicle before it fled the area. As officers were speaking with the employee, patrol units saw the vehicle on North Main Street and attempted to halt it. It was at this time a pursuit began, say police, with the suspects and vehicle wanted for at least one count of felony assault, and in connection with the incidents reported earlier in the evening." READ MORE HERE
As of Monday, BLM RI PAC said that they have made multiple attempts to reach the Attorney General's office for comment with no response.
“It is incredibly frustrating to know that taxpayers in this city fund body cameras, supposedly for transparency, and we still have to go through obstacles to access body camera footage of a child being beaten by the same people that are sworn to protect us,” said Harrison Tuttle, BLM RI PAC
In response, Neronha's office said, "The Office is committed to a thorough investigation and to completing that investigation in an expeditious manner. Once we are in a position to share the results of the investigation with the public, we will do so."
Inconsistent Policies
Further complicating the debate is that in some instances, Providence Police has released body camera video within hours of the incidents when the footage shows that the officers acted in good faith.
In March, Providence police officer Sergeant Joseph Hanley was found guilty in 6th Division District Court of simple assault, stemming from an April 19, 2020 incident during the arrest of an East Providence man.
Providence Police and Neronha had refused to release the video for months.
Videos of the incident were provided to GoLocal in November by then-PERA Director Jose Batista -- after he said the PERA board had voted not to release it.
“I don’t think it’s an issue,” said Batista of his decision at the time. “Part of my grounds [for release] is that it’s a public record.”
Batista was fired for releasing the video. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha repeatedly refused to release the video of the assault.
In some areas of the country, video footage is released within days of incidents. In June of 2020, GoLocal reported that the death of a Black man at the hands of police sparked protests, violence and arson Saturday night in Atlanta.
By Sunday morning Atlanta Police released the body camera footage from the officers involved in the shooting. Hundreds of protestors blocked a major interstate.
The Wendy's was set on fire and authorities responded with tear gas. Rayshard Brooks, 27, was shot dead by an officer Friday night in a Wendy's parking lot.
Less than 24 hours after his death, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields announced she was stepping down.
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