The Court of Appeals at Nashville ruled against the media coalition seeking police records in the Vanderbilt rape case, reversing the trial court that had granted access. Judge Richard Dinkins wrote the opinion, with Frank G. Clement joining (Dinkins opinion here). Judge W. Neal McBrayer dissented (McBrayer opinion here). Here is a link to The Tennessean's story online: Judge blocks access to Vanderbilt rape case records
Commentary on Daily Kos on the power of a news camera in covering conflict, using a John Kudelka political cartoon from 2004 to talk about journalists covering Ferguson and and other hot spots right now. Most reporters don't head into such dangerous zones in their daily coverage of local government. And most don't carry the shoulder cameras. But probably all now have the ability to shoot video and photos, even if not trained as a photojournalist. That's sunshine multiplied. In police situations, video from law enforcement's own cameras, such as dash cams, are public record and can be equally important in transparency. In Tennessee, journalists, citizens and government officials should continue [...]
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported today that Oak Ridge officials have refused to release a police incident report in a case in which two officers fired four gunshots at a suicidal woman. This is the second time in recent weeks that journalist Bob Fowler has reported that the police department has refused to give media a copy of an incident report in a situation involving or possibly involving police. The other was in a case in which a woman said she was sexually assaulted by someone who appeared to be a police officer or security guard. In both instances, the Oak Ridge police released some information through a press release. [...]
It’s not always easy to obtain public records, but when they are critical to answering questions about an issue of public interest, knowing the law and persistence helps. On Aug. 21, 2013, a Blount County Sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a citizen who was in his own garage. The young sheriff’s deputy was doing a property check because the citizen had reported two burglaries there earlier in the week. He shined a light through a window, saw a man with a gun, and fired multiple shots in what the sheriff later said was a “very tragic incident.” The Daily Times in Maryville kept tabs on the case, which was being [...]
The Knoxville News Sentinel explores whether police incident reports, also called offense reports, should be subject to the Tennessee Public Records Act and open for public view. The story was sparked when Oak Ridge police denied the News Sentinel's request to view an incident report related to an alleged sexual assault of a woman by someone "who appeared to be a police officer or security guard." Police say the alleged crime is under investigation so the report is protected from disclosure. TCOG is quoted, as well as Office of Open Records Counsel Elisha Hodge. Here's a link to the story.