Judge’s order for body camera footage remains in place

A judge has ruled that an order requiring the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to submit all body camera evidence going back three years to the First Judicial District Attorney will remain in place for now. Criminal Court Judge Stacy Street rejected a motion and oral arguments by Washington County Attorney Allyson Wilkinson that claimed the order was overly broad and vague, as well as unconstitutional. That issue centers around the DA’s right to get all evidence collected by law enforcement and review it so that any “material” evidence can be turned over to defense lawyers. Letters and memos exchanged between the parties show that more than 600 cases need to be reviewed, and camera footage for 202 has been discovered and methods for delivering it to the DA are being worked out. Judge Street also revealed his frustration over the failure of all parties to work through the situation without appearing before him as adversaries.