Judge Rejects Effort To Suppress Video of Cop Admitting Planting Drugs

Awkward

A federal judge has denied a request to remove a YouTube video in which Collinsville police Officer Michael Reichert says police sometimes put illicit drugs under or on vehicles parked overnight at motels or other businesses — without permission — to test dogs' detection abilities.

The denial, filed today, responded to a request made by attorneys representing the city and Reichert in a federal lawsuit by Terrance Huff, who seeks unspecified damages for what he describes as an unlawful detention during a traffic stop here a year ago.

Attorneys for Reichert and the city claimed in a motion that the video is not public record, as it has not yet been accepted as evidence in the court file. They also claim it could poison a jury pool against the defendants.

(H/T sloopyinca)