Professor James Tracy
In a move redolent of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre and similar unexplained events, attorneys representing Seattle Pacific University and as many as 30 anonymous parties connected to the June 5 campus shooting there have filed a lawsuit requesting to block release of surveillance video of the event captured by the school’s security cameras.
The unnamed parties claim to be either victims or witnesses of the shooting. SPU attorneys are asking for a temporary restraining order against the King County Prosecutor’s Office and the Seattle Police Department, who presently are in possession of the video.
Both the King Prosecutor and Seattle Police believe they are required to release the records under Washington public records laws.[1]
Aaron Ybarra’s lawyer filed a separate motion asking that judge prevent release of the video and other records. Ybarra has been charged with murder and attempted murder in the shootings. Public defender Ramona Brandes is also asking a judge to prevent the release of Aaron Ybarra’s personal journal following a request by media outlets. Brandes claims the release would violate Ybarra’s state and federal constitutional rights and impede his ability to receive a fair trial.[2]
As discussed here in recent weeks, in the unusual Isla Vista and Las Vegas mass shooting events, law enforcement agencies charged with carrying out the investigations have withheld their official incident reports, opting to manage the aftermath of each event through their public affairs officers.[3]