In a recent courtroom showdown, state prosecutors attempted to keep the identity of an undercover detective, who had been shot during a drug sting, under wraps. However, their request was firmly rejected by a judge on Friday.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Alberto Milian, on Friday, refused the state prosecutors' request to close the courtroom to protect the physical identity of an undercover detective wounded during a drug sting operation.
But, there was a middle ground reached in the battle between state prosecutors and media organizations: while the courtroom would remain open during the officer's testimony, cameras would not reveal his face.
Judge Milian emphasized that the courtroom was a public space, and he had no intention of barring the public from attending the hearing. Holland & Knight attorney Scott Ponce, representing the Miami Herald, acknowledged the importance of keeping the courtroom accessible while also recognizing the significance of protecting the undercover police officer's identity.
In Florida courtrooms where cameras are permitted, major media companies typically exercise caution when photographing undercover law enforcement officers. Often, even without specific requests, detectives' faces are blurred, or the cameras focus solely on the officer from the neck down.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's office filed the motion to close the courtroom a little over two weeks ago during hearings related to the case of Steve Gallon IV, who is charged with attempting to murder a law enforcement officer. Notably, Gallon IV is the son of long-time Miami-Dade School Board member Steve Gallon.
State prosecutors allege that Gallon attempted to kill Miami-Dade Detective Darrian Washington in March. He allegedly approached the officer from behind and fired a shot that grazed his head. Washington had been pursuing an associate of Gallon near Gallon's residence.
According to investigators, Detective Washington was conducting a narcotics investigation in the vicinity of Northwest 43rd Street and Fifth Avenue. He began tailing a black Nissan Maxima driven by 30-year-old Atiba Moore. Moore realized he was being followed and sped away.
While officers initially lost sight of Moore, they eventually caught up to him.
Police reported that Moore drove past Washington three times, with the final pass causing a collision between Washington's vehicle and the Nissan. Moore then exited his car and confronted Washington, who had also exited his vehicle.
It was during this confrontation that Gallon IV allegedly ambushed Washington while Moore attempted to flee. Importantly, Washington did not discharge his weapon during this incident, according to law enforcement.
Prosecutors believe that Moore contacted Washington while being pursued and alerted him to his presence. However, Gallon's attorney, Roderick Vereen, contends that Moore did not inform Washington that the officer, who was not in uniform and was driving an unmarked vehicle, was a member of law enforcement.
Meanwhile in Southern California, a gang member found himself in hot water this week, years after a wild gang face-off turned deadly, resulting in a man losing his life right on the streets in broad daylight. See detailed story here
Comments
Post a Comment