Staff Sergeant Facing 16yrs For Videotaping a "Public" Servant.
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From: Yorba Linda, CA
Staff Sergeant Facing 16yrs For Videotaping a "Public" Servant.
That Anthony Graber broke the law in early March is indisputable. He raced his Honda motorcycle down Interstate 95 in Maryland at 80 mph, popping a wheelie, roaring past cars and swerving across traffic lanes.
But it wasn't his daredevil stunt that has the 25-year-old staff sergeant for the Maryland Air National Guard facing the possibility of 16 years in prison. For that, he was issued a speeding ticket. It was the video that Graber posted on YouTube one week later -- taken with his helmet camera -- of a plainclothes state trooper cutting him off and drawing a gun during the traffic stop near Baltimore.
But it wasn't his daredevil stunt that has the 25-year-old staff sergeant for the Maryland Air National Guard facing the possibility of 16 years in prison. For that, he was issued a speeding ticket. It was the video that Graber posted on YouTube one week later -- taken with his helmet camera -- of a plainclothes state trooper cutting him off and drawing a gun during the traffic stop near Baltimore.
What do you guys think, should a "public" servant not be videotaped by the public while making an arrest because it violates their "privacy"?
Last edited by OGTerror; Jul 20, 2010 at 07:57 PM.
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From: Columbia Station, Ohio
Let the kid go... On a really weird note---ironically, all who believe that we should be allowed to videotape (as do I) such events, ACTUALLY AGREE WITH THE ACLU! What kind of irony is that, huh? That has to be a first in many of your books...
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From: Cabot, AR
I think it should be encouraged. It keeps the police honest. Most people have some type of video surveillance used in their place of employment which can be used to measure job performance. If the officer is following the law and department policies what is there to be afraid of? The best quote from the article is
"Police and governmental recording of citizens is becoming more pervasive and to say that government can record you but you can't record, it speaks volumes about the mentality of people in government," Rocah said. "It's supposed to be the other way around: They work for us; we don't work for them."
What would happen if I asked to officer to turn his camera off? If we go to court it will be his word against mine. Unless there is video evidence that never seems to turn up in court when the officer's actions are questionable. Now if both parties have tapes of the incident the citizen can be assured of an accurate trial.
"Police and governmental recording of citizens is becoming more pervasive and to say that government can record you but you can't record, it speaks volumes about the mentality of people in government," Rocah said. "It's supposed to be the other way around: They work for us; we don't work for them."
What would happen if I asked to officer to turn his camera off? If we go to court it will be his word against mine. Unless there is video evidence that never seems to turn up in court when the officer's actions are questionable. Now if both parties have tapes of the incident the citizen can be assured of an accurate trial.
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From: Cabot, AR
For me it is unusual but not the first time it has happened. Most of the time the ACLU and I disagree except for matters of government interference into personal liberties. Then our viewpoints tend to come together.
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From: Illinois
about 1-2 years ago, it was on the news that some kid intentionally tried to get pulled over, b/c he had a camera on his head rest. he acted like a smart a$$ to the officer, trying to intice him on the unknown camera.
i believe the teen got in major trouble over it when all said and done.
i believe the teen got in major trouble over it when all said and done.
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From: Yorba Linda, CA
Just another oxymoron on the list: If a "public" servant is videotaped, then his "privacy" has been violated but if a "private" citizen is videotaped then the opposite is true. 
Kind of like, a fat chance and a slim chance means the same but a wise man and a wise guy means the opposite.
But seems to be the way of life, we park on driveways and drive on parkways. We put shipment in a car and cargo in a ship.
Why should a PUBLIC SERVANT have any expectation of privacy while pursuing their PUBLIC duties is beyond me!
Kind of like, a fat chance and a slim chance means the same but a wise man and a wise guy means the opposite.
But seems to be the way of life, we park on driveways and drive on parkways. We put shipment in a car and cargo in a ship.
Why should a PUBLIC SERVANT have any expectation of privacy while pursuing their PUBLIC duties is beyond me!
Last edited by OGTerror; Jul 20, 2010 at 09:06 PM.
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From: So. Texas
From what I saw on the video, the first guy with the pistol that got out of an apparent unmarked police car or possibly his own car, should be charged with using excessive force and thrown off of the police force. But we're now living under the Gov't thumb so get accustomed to it.
