Lawsuit Seeks Bodycam Footage Allegedly Showing Cop Stealing Photographer's Bag
The Jersey Vindicator, a non-profit news organization based in New Jersey, has filed a lawsuit against the Essex County Prosecutor's Office for withholding body-worn camera footage concerning police officer Darryl Brown. Brown is alleged to have stolen the camera bag of photojournalist Angelina Katsanis during protests in Newark on May 30. Katsanis, who is affiliated with the Associated Press, sustained injuries and abandoned her bag, which was later traced to Brown's residence in Sparta. Bodycam footage indicated Brown had "interacted" with the bag, and a search subsequently located Katsanis's belongings. Brown faces third-degree theft charges and has been suspended. On June 5, the prosecutor's office refused a request for the footage, citing an ongoing investigation. Additionally, the ACLU has taken legal action against ICE for not disclosing records related to the surveillance of photographers.
Key facts
- The Jersey Vindicator sued Essex County Prosecutor's Office for refusing to release bodycam footage.
- Photojournalist Angelina Katsanis was covering protests outside Delaney Hall, Newark on May 30.
- Katsanis was struck by a wooden beam during police-demonstrator clashes.
- Her camera bag, with an AirTag, was tracked to the home of Essex County police sergeant Darryl Brown.
- Brown's bodycam footage showed him interacting with the bag.
- Brown was suspended without pay and charged with third-degree theft.
- The lawsuit claims the footage should be public under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act.
- ACLU has separately sued ICE over surveillance of photographers.
Entities
Artists
- Angelina Katsanis
Institutions
- Associated Press
- The Jersey Vindicator
- New Jersey Center for Non-Profit Journalism
- Essex County Prosecutor's Office
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
- ICE
- PetaPixel
- Essex County Police
Locations
- Delaney Hall
- Newark
- New Jersey
- Sparta