These videos won’t be showing up on YouTube. But the San Benito
County Sheriff’s Offices does hope videos from 60 new TASER cameras
will help protect both deputies and the public.
HOLLISTER
These videos won’t be showing up on YouTube. But the San Benito County Sheriff’s Offices does hope videos from 60 new TASER cameras will help protect both deputies and the public.
“It tells a story,” Undersheriff Pat Turturici said.
In 2004, the office used a Rural County Crime Prevention Act grant to purchase deputies TASERs. Law enforcement experts argue that TASERs make apprehension safer, as the weapon uses electricity to stun suspects.
Turturici said the cameras will show if deputies are following the office’s use-of-force policy.
Lt. Roy Iler said the new technology should prevent frivolous complaints and relieve fears about misuse.
“This is just an insurance policy for our deputies,” Iler said.
At $400 a piece, the office also believes the small cameras – which are inserted into the handle of the TASER gun – will save money in the long run.
The cameras act as batteries and are rechargeable, providing up to 10 hours of power.
Disposable batteries for the TASERs normally run $28 each, Iler said.
Transcripts remain sealed until March
HOLLISTER
A judge ordered the transcript from a grand jury indicting a former sheriff’s deputy on multiple felonies remain sealed until March so an attorney can challenge evidence contained within.
Former San Benito County sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Rodrigues, who was not present in court Thursday, was indicted in December on eight felony charges, including seven suspected sex crimes.
The transcript from the grand jury that indicted Rodrigues, a 25-year veteran, was due to be released in early January.
That transcript will remain sealed until Mar. 4, San Benito County Superior Court Judge Harry Tobias ruled.
The district attorney, in originally pushing for its sealing, reasoned it would protect the anonymity of suspected victims.
An open records attorney, however, has contended that the transcript should be released because the suspected victims’ names previously had been released in a criminal complaint. He also said the court could simply redact names from the transcript.
Felony charges against Rodrigues include three counts of forcible rape, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration and one count each of spousal rape, attempted rape and domestic violence.
According to a complaint, the suspected crimes took place between 1999 and Nov. 2007.
Rodrigues’ attorney, Christopher Miller, contended the “transcripts are riddled with inadmissible evidence.”
