‘Bogus’: Mother upset by sheriff’s refusal to release video in Taser death

CBS4 (Denver): Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap is refusing to release body worn camera video that captured the events leading up to the death of Matt Poer, who died in April shortly after he was shocked by an Elbert County deputies’ taser.

Responding to a CBS4 request for the video, Heap repeatedly said release of the video would be “contrary to the public interest.”

But Poer’s mother Sherry told CBS4 “the release of the body cam would answer some questions.”

“It’s unfortunate. We are going to have to take a longer route before that happens.”

The Arapahoe County District Attorney ruled Wednesday that the deputy who tasered Poer, 46, was legally justified because Poer was armed, was resisting arrest, had fired shots and was exhibiting erratic and criminal behavior.

“I find that Deputy (Chris) Dickey acted appropriately when he used the Taser device on Mr. Poer…”, wrote Chief Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Oldham.

The incident was recorded by at least one deputies’ body worn camera. But in a three page response to CBS4, Sheriff Heap cites a litany of reasons to not release the video.

Visit CBS4 for more.

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