The city of Chicago did an about-face Wednesday, asking a federal judge to lift a protective order to allow the public release of video that shows a white police officer fatally shooting a black suspect in a auto theft in 2013.
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In December, city-appointed attorneys representing the officer filed a motion to delay the video’s release.
Cedrick Chatman, 17, was shot as he fled from two officers on January 7, 2013.
The primary dispute in the case is over whether Chatman had something in his hand and turned toward police before he was shot.
Andy Hale, an attorney for Chicago police officers Kevin Fry and Lou Toth, said in an email that the videos will back up their version of the story.
Attorneys for the city have fought to keep the video private even as Emanuel vowed last month to improve transparency of incidents involving police.
The filing notes a new city task force was considering major changes to policies on releasing videos.
Chatman family lawyer Brian Coffman said he was pleasantly surprised at the city’s change of heart but that he believes Chicago officials knew the judge was poised to rule against them Thursday at a previously scheduled hearing on the protective order.
City attorneys made the request Wednesday in a reversal of its initial push to have the video kept under seal until legal proceedings are over in the case of Cedrick Chatman.
“If Officer Fry believed his life was in danger, then his fear was unreasonable”, added Davis, who trained officers on the use of deadly force at the Chicago police academy.
“In the 11th hour, they want to take the air out of the room and say, ‘Now, we’re falling on our swords, ‘” Coffman said.
Moreover, Davis was sacked from the IPRA for failing to succumb to pressure from superiors and refusing to clear six officers – including Fry in the Chatman killing – who were under investigation. The IPRA found the shooting was justified, and the city of Chicago settled with the boy and his family for $99,000.
“With respect to the release of videos of police incidents, the City of Chicago is working to find the right balance between the public’s interest in disclosure and the importance of protecting the integrity of investigations and the judicial process”, said Steve Patton, the city’s top lawyer.
This all follows the November 24 release of video showing a white officer fatally shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times in 2014.
The decision by U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman comes as the city reversed its position on Wednesday, saying it no longer opposed release of the video of the 2013 police shooting. After disobeying the officer’s order to exit the vehicle, the suspect reached to the floor and ran out of the vehicle with a dark object in his hand.
The city had argued that releasing the video ahead of trial could prejudice jury members.
Black pastors and community leaders said they would boycott Emanuel’s annual Martin Luther King prayer breakfast on Friday in protest over the city’s handling of police shootings and misconduct complaints.
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Fry, who joined the force in 2003, has had 30 complaints lodged against him during his tenure on the department.
