The Greensboro City Council really, really doesn’t want the people of Greensboro to see the police body-worn camera (BWC) videos of Dec. 28, 2023, when Greensboro police officers responded to 911 calls reporting domestic violence at the home of City Manager Tai Jaiyeoba.
Attorneys from the Greensboro city attorney’s office opposed the release of the BWC videos at a hearing before North Carolina Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour on Monday, Feb. 19.
On Tuesday, Feb. 20, Baddour ruled that the police BWC videos of the officers responding to 911 calls reporting domestic violence at Jaiyeoba’s home be released. The email to the attorneys states, “I will release the footage from the night officers responded to the scene, but require blurring of the minor child and muting/silencing her statements. Also blurring any identifying information about the house (like a street number).”
Baddour ruled that the police BWC videos from the police officers’ vehicle and the the police BWC videos of the adult children returning to gather their belongings not be released to the public.
After that ruling, Greensboro Chief Deputy City Attorney Tony Baker requested that Baddour reconvene the hearing. The email to the court manager states, “Will you please ask Judge Baddour to consider reconvening the hearing on this matter now that he has seen the video. The City would like the opportunity to present additional arguments to the Court in light of the Court having seen the videos. Further, The City has a couple of questions regarding the impending Order that we believe are best addressed on the record – answers to which will help Mr. Tadych [Mike Tadych, the attorney representing the News & Record that requested the release] draft the proposed order.”
The request to reconvene the hearing was denied by Judge Baddour.
The City of Greensboro requested that the Greensboro Police Department be allowed three weeks to blur the images and Baddour did grant that request.
If Greensboro doesn’t appeal Baddour’s ruling, in three weeks the Greensboro Police Department will be required to release the police BWC videos of the incident at Jaiyeoba’s home on Dec. 28. So it appears that by about March 12 the people of Greensboro will have the opportunity to see what really happened at the city manager’s home on Dec. 28, and perhaps be able to figure out why the Greensboro City Council fought the release of the police BWC videos.
You could not buy a more transpatent City Council. Could you?
“There is honor among thieves “
The city council announced that the council believes the manager did not receive special treatment and the videos should not be released to the general public. Was there a recorded vote on this? I would be surprised if Zach Matheny went along with that. When the city manager calls the police chief on his cell phone after hours, the special treatment began when the chief answered the call.
Sounds like a lot of opposition for footage deemed “nothing to see.” “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
Someone needs to ask the judge to compare the unaltered version of the video to what the City releases.
Let’s just say it’s to keep honest people honest.
who’s going to compare the unedited version to the released version?
Just asking
Definitely NOT you or me !
Are they trying to hide the behavior of the City Manager or the police?
Or both?
This council continues to prove they are all the village idiots of Greensboro. You got what you voted for! Enjoy.
Get rid of all of the city council, they are nothing but a bunch of corrupt politicians.
Tony Baker is no different from Chuck Watts. I would not trust anything Baker says or does. Trust me, he has something up his sleeve that he will pull out in three weeks. My first guess is a powwow with Watts and City Council to see what the legal department can get away with blurring in the video.
The irony is that the demand that police officers wear body cams had the objective of proving the police were bad people doing bad things, when, in fact, it is documented exactly the opposite
What is the point of blurring the images if there is nothing there to see?
I think we should put most of the blame on the police chief. Of course, the city manager should never have the police chief on speed dial for personal use, but can we really blame him for calling since he is afforded this option? The problems started when he called his watch commander and ordered him to the scene. The NC statute does give officers discretion on making arrest in these situations (misdemeanors that occur outside our presents) but years ago we were “required” to make an arrest if there are signs of assault on domestic violence calls. I would think this would have crossed the line if someone dislocated an arm, making it a felony assault. This removes all discretion, and an arrest would be mandatory. We need to start with why 4 officers and an ambulance were dispatched and go from there. The general rule is to send 2 officers unless there are other circumstances. It’s obvious that this was a cover up and I’m guessing that the BWC will be damning to their story line. Bottom line, elections have consequences. Keep voting these “you scratch my back Ill scratch yours” politicians and you can expect the same.
Why would it take 3 weeks to “blur” images on the video? Is it simply to buy more time for the City to develop another legal strategy?