Pixiq

Yes it does make one wonder doesn’t it.. What is the cops hiding and what is the man hiding by not releasing the video.. The video could play a major part in his law suit…

Probably trying to hide mistakes on both sides, maybe hoping two wrongs can make silence…

I want to see the footage. I’ve never seen a guy punched by a decorated police officer before. That must be really impressive.

I bet it wasn’t even a distraction blow. Decorated policemen don’t need distraction blows-they are one step below Chuck Norris.

My guess … the police are withholding the report because *they haven’t written it yet.* Once they know what the video shows and what it doesn’t show they will feel more comfortable writing the report without getting busted like Patrick Pogan.

And of course Johnson’s attorney won’t release the video until the report is released to ensure the police are unable to erase falsified details based on what the video actually shows.

I go with #4. I hate to, because it seems like cop bashing, but “the we can’t release it if its under investigation” wears thin.

@Ryan: Interesting idea and I wouldn’t be surprised if you were right.

Arrest reports are, of course, public records, so the police have no basis not releasing it. As a former cops reporter I had to deal with this all the time. One time, a cop tried to tell me he couldn’t release an accused man’s court date because then bad guys might know when the convoy was headed to the courthouse and they might try to ambush them. Definitely the most ridiculous excuse I’ve ever heard.

Cops just don’t like releasing stuff and a lot of them think they can just tell you no. Might work with the average Joe but not with the media.

Here’s an outrageous story you people should get behind. Maybe you can interview the guy arrested by the police. He was arrested for passing out flyers with some photographs he had put on them:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/p8xxzl

This is just outrageous! You should invite him to join your blog community here. He probably could use a friend right now.

Gandolph: I am not sure if that is supposed to insinuate that we are perverted or what. That has nothing to do with what this site is about.

This site is dedicated to promoting the rights of all to photograph in public places. Nothing to do with some pervert putting photos of children in diapers on a flier.

@MacK

This man’s 1st amendment rights are being violated! The police keep throwing him in jail. There are a lot of things on this site that aren’t about photographing in public places.

Why won’t you won’t stand up for Barton Bagnes’s constitutional rights?

This is a terrible injustice!

He should show people his temple garments then the Avenging Angels could take him out and there would be no more problems.

@Pinandpuller

You think it’s funny the police are arresting him while his constitutional rights are being trampled? Did you read the article I liked?

@ Gandolph: Constitutional rights to do what exactly? If you even want to get technical about it – did he take the pictures he is distributing? Assuming the pictures are not child porn he might still be committing a copyright violation in addition to any number of other crimes.

Could it be that you are a troll trying to bait us? Obviously this is not a photography rights case nor a first amendment issue. Sorry not taking the bait!

This MOST CERTAINLY is a 1st amendment issue! The government is trying to censor him. Passing out flyers is the same as passing out handbills. His FREE SPEECH is being censored.

Plus it’s police ABUSE! They are arresting him and holding him until they can think up things to charge him with.

You will not stand up for his constitutional rights? You want people not to censor you but you don’t care that he’s being censored!

Well first of all the 1st ammendment refers to the federal government-not the State of Utah-no?

I also think that there is a difference between passively taking photos and actively handing out stuff. I mean-you may have a right to speak but I have a right not to listen and he may be pushy with trying to hand people stuff. If I’m out taking pictures and I keep yelling at people to move out of my shot and I get run off or arrested am I-like the Monty Python serf-being repressed?

And no offense since you may actually be the guy and all that but he looks more like Richard Ramirez than Andy Kauffman.

@Pinandpuller

I’m sorry you are dead wrong. What do you think this blog is all about? Do you think local police can violate your 1st amendment rights?The supreme court long ago ruled that the due process clause of the 14th amendment applies 1st amendment to each and every state, including any local government within a state. The supreme court has also ruled that handing out flyers like this is expressly protected.

I can’t believe you are protecting police for denying Barton Bagnes his 1st amendment rights. Who will stand up for you when you won’t stand up for Barton Bagnes’s rights?