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Showing entries for Category: Brian-Keith-Brown
Judge says no way to release of Paroline murder video
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A King County judge has decided that releasing the video that allegedly shows Brian Keith Brown delivering a fatal punch to James Paroline, puts too many people at risk due to the volatile feelings surrounding the case.
The July 9 video was shot by a neighbor and is said to show Brown dropping Paroline with a single punch. Paroline struck his head on the ground and later died from the injuries he sustained from the altercation. Paroline had been arguing with drivers who were angry over his blocking of traffic in order to water the flowers on the traffic circle. Brown has pled not-guilty to second-degree murder charges..jpg)
Several local television stations had been trying to obtain the video. Judge Laura Inveen failed to see how releasing the video could create anything positive or of value. Both the prosecution and defense teams were lobbying to have the video's release stopped.
Judgin by some of the comments that have been attached to stories in the Seattle P-I's coverage of the case, and comments that have been left in our mailbox, I'd have to agree with the judges' decision. Although as a media member, I tend to always side with the local media outlets getting all the information they can in order to report to the public, in this case, I say no for a couple of reasons. One, the case has already stirred heated racial tensions in the Rainier Beach area (Brown is Black, Paroline was white) and, two, I don't see the video serving any purpose to the general public, other than becoming a ratings boost for local television outlets.
The most important thing tis to make sure that the person responsible for Paroline's death is brought to justice. If that happens to be Mr. Brown (and it appears likely that it is him), then he should be dealt with by the justice system, not the court of public opinion.
Expect more to come from this case. I predicted in an earlier article that Brown's lawyers were going to fight the second-degree murder charges and it looks like that's their strategy.
Brandes pointed to manslaughter charges filed last week in the death of Vance St. Clair, who was fatally beaten by a group of men May 20 in Belltown. His assailants face a lesser charge than Brown -- who is accused of throwing a single punch -- even though prosecutors accuse them of repeatedly kicking St. Clair as he lay on the ground. "It's a travesty and it speaks to the complete weirdness of the law in Washington," Brandes said. "You can beat somebody to death and be charged with manslaughter."
Check out the Soundoff from this last article that was written, there's some pretty interesting discussions going on, as has been the case with this situation.
Topics: Murder , Justice System , Washington Law , James Paroline , Seattle Crime , Brian Keith Brown
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