Whoa.
A Williamson County grand jury has indicted Sheriff Robert Chody on an evidence tampering charge in the destruction of reality TV show footage that showed deputies chasing and using force on a Black man who died last year.
(Previous background on the case in question from WCD.)
Former Williamson County general counsel Jason Nassour, who was also at the scene of the deadly March 2019 incident, also was indicted on a evidence tampering charge. The charge, a third-degree felony, is punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
…
Prosecutors have said they could not disclose what they learned about Chody’s role in the video destruction because of the ongoing case.
But here’s something interesting.
The contract between Williamson County and “Live PD” producers in place at the time of Ambler’s death allowed the show to destroy unaired footage within 30 days unless a court order or other state or federal law required it to be retained.
“Live PD” host Dan Abrams said in television interviews and in a post on his web site that sheriff’s officials initially asked producers to preserve the video. Two months after Ambler’s death, Chody told them the investigation was completed. At that point, Abrams said, producers destroyed the video.
If I understand the story correctly, though, both the WillCo and Travis County DAs offices were still investigating this as a death in custody.
Yadda yadda presumption of innocence yadda yadda “growing scrutiny” of the sheriff’s office.
The charge against Chody comes 39 days before the Nov. 3 election. The first-term sheriff is being challenged by Democrat Mike Gleason, who is retired after serving 24 years in the Williamson County sheriff’s office.
This entry was posted on Monday, September 28th, 2020 at 4:50 pm and is filed under Law, Politics, WillCo. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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