John Chiv: HCSO footage of Widmark OIS footage edited? HCSO deputies told not to write reports are some of the claims made at press conference by Jesse Widmark's attorney

Mar 28, 2024

HCSO footage of Widmark OIS footage edited? HCSO deputies told not to write reports are some of the claims made at press conference by Jesse Widmark's attorney

(Ms. Andrea Sullivan)

I have been regularly reporting on Brandon and Jesse Widmark court cases. On January 25, I reported that the assault case against Brandon Widmark was dismissed by the People. The Widmark brothers, Brandon and Jesse, have two 2023 cases as co-defendants. They were held to answer to charges in both cases after the preliminary hearing. They were arraigned on information. Trial confirmation in both cases is scheduled on 6/11; jury trial on 6/24.

Jesse Widmark is represented by Ms. Andrea Sullivan. Brandon Widmark is represented by Ms. Rebecca Linkous.

This morning, Ms. Sullivan held a press conference in the theater at the Carson block building. Ms. Sullivan started by summarizing the background of footage. I have uploaded a video clip played to Facebook. The screenshots above are from Ms. Sullivan's presentation. The raw footage is from discovery provided to the defense.

Sheriff William Honsal is here. Investigator Cisco Lassiter is here and he is working on this case. Raw footage played today was provided through discovery. Sheriff Honsal did respond to media questions after the press conference. He thanked Ms. Sullivan for allowing him to be present today after the press conference and again when he spoke with media who attended outside.

Exclusive details are that the DA and law enforcement had been informed in advance. There are supposed to be extra patrols in case there is a reaction to the information presented today. For his own safety, even Jesse Widmark did not know about the press conference in advance.

Ms. Sullivan opened with today's press conference is about the officer involved shooting on 4/18/23. Jesse and Brandon Widmark are half brothers. Ms. Sullivan summarized the events of the day, the release of partial footage by HCSO all of which is information previously released and covered.

"There was a near failure of body cameras," said Ms. Sullivan. "Both brothers were shot multiple times, Jesse was shot 6 times. Undersheriff J. D. Braud told deputies not to prepare written reports."

Ms. Sullivan said edits were made to videos. "HCSO blamed my client. Jesse reaching for a weapon is contradicted by raw footage."

"It is important that these boys get a fair trial," said Ms. Sullivan. She said there was "material manipulation" and "evidence tampering and "the law enforcement was incredibly chaotic."

In response to media questions, Ms. Sullivan said, "anything my client is alleged to have done that is illegal to law enforcement had passed by the time the video starts."

I asked Ms. Sullivan if she thought law enforcement used excessive force to take her client into custody. "We as a society don't generally shoot at surrendered suspects." There is a separate issue of civil liability.

Sheriff Honsal said, "These are pretty serious allegations." He received the announcement about the press conference yesterday. I asked him specifically about the excessive force and evidence tampering claims made by Ms. Sullivan.

Sheriff Honsal said that Ms. Sullivan misrepresented what would be the focus at the press conference today. Nothing presented today supported the excessive force claim, said Sheriff Honsal. He said what was presented today at the press conference is a narrative Ms. Sullivan wants out in the community.

Sheriff Honsal said the District Attorney can use raw footage if they choose to in court. "We blur faces and that corresponds with public information" released by HCSO. "We don't want to taint the jury pool. Ms. Sullivan would love a change of venue."

"The case went through a preliminary hearing," said Sheriff Honsal. "She could have cross examined my deputies. The DA and EPD did the investigation."

"Our deputies are victims," said Sheriff Honsal. "They are heroes in this case. They ( Widmark brothers) were going towards a preschool." Sheriff Honsal said there could have been other tragedies if it were not for law enforcement containment and taking the suspects into custody.

"The evidence in place is that Sgt. Conan Moore is firing at Brandon; not Jesse. The transcript of the preliminary hearing is public record."

Sheriff Honsal said that Deputy Chad Crotty had his weapon out. "You see the weapon on the body cam. Sgt. Moore saw a threat and took action.

Ms. Sullivan passed on responding to Sheriff Honsal's comments.

Details on all the Widmark brothers are in previous coverage which most of my daily and regular readers already know.

Previous posts:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/01/alleged-victim-in-brandon-widmark.html?m=1#more

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/12/epd-officers-and-one-witness-testify.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/12/jail-records-subpoenaed-by-defense-for.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/07/three-day-preliminary-for-widmark.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/06/hcso-finds-one-body-cam-footage-of.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/06/voluminous-discovery-leads-to.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/05/brandon-widmark-finally-booked-into.html?m=1