Growing Number of Prosecutions for Videotaping the Police

07-19-2010 • ABC News

That Anthony Graber broke the law in early March is indisputable. He raced his Honda motorcycle down Interstate 95 in Maryland at 80 mph, popping a wheelie, roaring past cars and swerving across traffic lanes.

But it wasn't his daredevil stunt that has the 25-year-old staff sergeant for the Maryland Air National Guard facing the possibility of 16 years in prison. For that, he was issued a speeding ticket. It was the video that Graber posted on YouTube one week later -- taken with his helmet camera -- of a plainclothes state trooper cutting him off and drawing a gun during the traffic stop near Baltimore.

3 Comments in Response to Growing Number of Prosecutions for Videotaping the Police

Comment by Powell Gammill

Entered on: 7/26/2010 11:09:07 PM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/25/AR2010072502795_pf.html

Comment by Ross Wolf

Entered on: 7/22/2010 5:30:14 PM

U.S. Citizens should be allowed to videotape and record police. Imagine if Rodney King had not been filmed showing LA cops beating King with batons; and more recently The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police shooting of Oscar Grant. Too frequently Citizens are at the mercy of Police testimony that is fabricated or false. Every week corrupt police are reported arrested by the FBI. For many Citizens a video camera and recording device is their only defense not to be unjustly injured by police or imprisoned. If police are acting lawfully they shouldn’t object to cameras and sound recording equipment. Citizens should be exempt from filming and recording police.

Comment by Die Daily

Entered on: 7/20/2010 3:28:23 AM

Hey cops, why do you mind that We the People have you under constant surveillance? Law abiding citizens shouldn't fear constant surveillance, should they? I mean, only criminals and terrorists have something to hide, right? Aw, copper, you ain't thinkin' of lawyerin' up, are ya? Whad'ya need a lawyer for? You know that just makes you look guilty, right? Just cooperate, it'll be OK. Honest.

Just think of us as Little Brother. We're watching you. And we're EVERYWHERE.

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