A Vermont District Court judge says prosecutors haven’t proven they need unedited videotape from WCAX TV. But Judge Linda Levitt is giving University of Vermont police a chance at a December 20 hearing to make a case that the television video is the only way they can determine who caused property damage at an October riot.
Authorities are trying to punish students who took part in a riot after the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees to advance to the World Series. Prosecutors and UVM police say tape that was shot by WCAX but not aired might show who was responsible.
But WCAX says authorities have to prove they’ve exhausted all other means of identifying suspects before going after the tape. Levitt agreed with the television station’s position.
WCAX says the authorities’ request would transform the media into an investigative arm of the state.