Good news for the regular folks who would like to see the police body-worn camera (BWC) videos from the Greensboro police officers who responded to 911 calls about domestic violence at the home of Greensboro City Manager Tai Jaiyeoba on the night of Dec. 28, 2023.
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, North Carolina Superior Court Judge Allen, in response to a number of inquiries from the attorneys representing the City of Greensboro, amended his previous timeline and ordered the BWC videos to be released by March 4.
In an email, Baddour stated, “I am amending the timeline, and ordering the production of the video within 14 days of the hearing, which is March 4 (not the entry of the order).”
The previous order had given the City of Greensboro 21 days to release the police BWC videos.
Greensboro Chief Deputy City Attorney Tony Baker, in a previous email, requested that the city be allowed “to have an audio/video specialist to enhance the audio on that portion of the video that depicts the first officer on scene speaking to the Chief via cellphone. The Chief’s comments may be enhanced and made audible. We believe his comments to that officer will help to dispel the alleged coverup.”
About that request, Baddour, who has viewed the BWC videos, stated, “I did not include any limitations on the media/plaintiff uses of the video, and also would not limit the city, police etc. on its use. I would consider this order to be the full release of the video, and either party can use excerpts without court approval. I suppose that means they can also enhance or manipulate it, though they may be careful what they wish for.”
Greensboro Senior Assistant City Attorney Andrea Harrell asked if posting the BWC videos on the Greensboro Police Department webpage would constitute “release” of the video as ordered by the court.
Attorney Mike Tadych, representing the News & Record that filed the lawsuit requesting the release, objected to this method of releasing the video stating that the proposed order was “that the recordings be released to The News & Record and its counsel.”
The City of Greensboro had earlier requested that the videos be released for viewing only by the City Council and select city staff members and the court granted that request.
After members of the City Council viewed the BWC videos, the City Council issued a press release indicating that there was no reason for the public to view the police BWC videos and that “the City Manager did not receive preferential treatment.”
LMAO…if anybody may ” manipulate” this video, my money is on the Greensboro City Council. The cover up continues.
It’s a Greensboro thang, pos city,who cares. Good luck little new york residents.
Question. Does Jaiyeoba have a wife?
Just One?
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“No reason for the public to view the police videos”…? Who the hell do the City Council think they are?
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Come on Austin.
Have you forgotten you live in the Peoples Republic of Greensboro ruled by the Grand Council of They-That-Must-Not-Be-Questioned?
Evidently so. Their reasoning is profoundly anti-American, since it assumes all rights belong to government except those granted to the people – which is the exact opposite of the American republic.
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The right question is: What reason is there for the video to be hidden from the public?
What would have been so bad about releasing public records when they were requested? Oh, wait, this is Greensboro. Never mind.
Good work John, staying atop this story. Keeping the public informed is real public service.
“….first officer on scene speaking to the Chief via cellphone.” No special treatment? The council is a laughingstock. When Chief Thompson answered his cell call from his boss, special treatment had already begun. Furthermore, I would like to know how many domestic disturbances does Chief Thompson talk directly to the first officer on the scene? My guess in his entire career, that has happened once. Are our police officers on the ground and at the scene incapable of working a domestic violence call without the off duty chief helping out? Finally, there has been no good answer for why the police report was filed on paper and once entered, was blocked from viewing. I feel bad for Chief Thompson because his boss, the manager, put him in a bad situation. The whole thing stinks. Sadly, in this city, nobody is going to be voted out.
The “laughingstock” keeps getting re-elected. When you want a free lunch, just vote for it.
“Sadly, in this city, nobody is going to be voted out.” That’s why we need term limits. The Councilmembers who would no longer be there if there were term limits: Nancy Vaughn out, Goldie Wells out, Tammi Thum out in 2026, Yvonne Johnson out, Sharon Hightower out, Nancy Hoffmann out, Zack Matheny out. The district voting system keeps Councilmembers like Wells, Johnson, and Hightower in office. Term limits protect cities from the district voting system. Winston-Salem is no different. Notice who is running for mayor in the Twin City. Allen Joines has been mayor since 2001.
Do you answer the phone when your boss calls? Do you know what the boss wants when he/she calls?
This is a case of preferential treatment. This is Domestic Violence ! The regular citizens as you say we are, would be in JAIL ! He was injured during this violence ! Why wasn’t somebody charged I will answer for you. Mayor and City Council and their employees THINK they are ABOVE THe LAW. All of you are no better than the regular citizens that help pay your salary. Let a regular citizen get police called on them for domestic violence, be sure to say that it is just a family disagreement !! Mayor and Council, QUIT protecting your own ! He was injured ! This is DOMESTIC VIOLENCE !!!!!