Photography is NOT A Crime > Release The Mesa Police Body Cam Video

Time and time again when photographic/video/body cam evidence is suppressed in police officer-involved shooting incidents it results in a delayed public outrage about the use of excessive force, headline-grabbing demonstrations, social media outrage, investigation after investigation, notices and settlements of multi-million dollars claims against cities, and the arrests and prosecutions of those paid to serve, protect and defend the public interest.
Since 18 January 2016 when an incident happened here in Mesa - almost four months ago - it started out with just an item on that day's crime reports, slowly gaining traction to create a crescendo in social media over the weekend.

Why?
According to this report today from a group focused on transparency and accountability
1st Amendment April 4, 2016

Arizona Police Union Spurs Facebook Backlash, Defends Cop Seeking Plea Deal in Murder Case

The Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/mesapoliceassociation of an Arizona police union blew up over the weekend with more comments than they have likes on their page for defending the indefensible.
Murder.
Mesa Police Association wrote a long defense of Mitchell Brailsford who is seeking a plea deal after being charged with second degree murder for killing Daniel Shaver, an innocent pest-control worker who used a pellet gun to shoot birds in Walmart stores.

The Arizona police union unleashed their poisonous Facebook post very late on April 1st, but it wasn’t an April Fools joke.
You can see the post below, which has attracted over 848 comments, while the page only has 835 likes right now, including a whopping 264 angry reactions compared to 17 heart or love reactions.
Maricopa County District Attorney Bill Montgomery is refusing thus far to release the video of Daniel Shaver claiming that his widow might speak to the public about the case.


Blogger Note: If you believe this video should be released immediately, tell the Maricopa County District Attorney at (602) 506-3411.

User comments tell the full story of a major Facebook backlash, so we’ve shared the most informative below.
I understand wanting to “support” your officer, but lying to do so is wrong on many levels.”

Arizona Police Union Accuses Daniel Shaver of Felony on FB, Was Shot in Back By Cop

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