Judge releases video of cops taking pot, cash

http://gannett.a.mms.mavenapps.net/m...ect=1143694037

A U.S. District Court judge agreed today to release to the media some video and audio recordings presented during the ongoing corruption trial of two Indianapolis police drug detectives.

Former narcotics Detectives Robert B. Long, 35, and Jason P. Edwards, 38, face conspiracy, drug and firearms charges on accusations that they stole drugs and money, sometimes in stings set up by the FBI. The trial began Monday in U.S. District Court.

Judge Larry J. McKinney ordered government attorneys to provide copies of a video clip shown to jurors this week of a June 2008 incident in which ex-Patrolman James D. Davis -- who has pleaded guilty -- broke into a house in the 2200 block of Kenwood Avenue. The video shows Davis entering the home twice before he is joined by Long and Edwards.

The officers are shown removing about five pounds of marijuana and $18,300 from a closet. It was stashed there by the FBI, which set up several cameras inside and outside the house. The video is about 17 minutes.

The motion for release was filed by WTHR (Channel 13). The station's attorney, Michael Wilkins, also asked for copies of audio recordings presented so far, which have included wiretaps of phone calls and the officers' meetings with informants.

McKinney asked the station to specify those it wants and obtain copies from government lawyers.

Lawyers on both sides of the case opposed the ruling. Defense attorneys said jurors who follow the judge's daily admonishment to avoid media coverage might happen upon a newscast promo during other TV programming or recordings posted online.

"I don't think there's a horrible prejudice here if a juror happens to flip on the TV and sees something they've already seen," McKinney said.

The trial is expected to continue through next week.

Call Star reporter Jon Murray at (317) 444-2752

Thanks a lot judge, you probably just let them off the hook. :( Can't the news just tell the story, and wait for the trial to show the videos? And besides, it puts a black mark on those cops if they happen to be found not guilty. Remember Richard Jewel, the NON-Atlanta-Olympics-Bomber. I bet whenever he applies for a job they are like "You look familiar, where did I see you before? Oh yeah, THE NEWS cause you're the OLYMPIC BOMBER".

News media eats nads bigtime. Oh and I hope those cops get the full penalty allowable if they are convicted. And the news is doing it's part to tear down our great country. :(

I agree that most of the time they shouldn't release any info until the trial is over. Then it should all become public. Its fairer for the that way. Both sides use these methods to try and sway potential jurors.