A citizen with a cellular phone was arrested for obstructing justice when he recorded the activities of Tampa, FL police officers investigating a disturbance call on May 1, 2011. Two officers were in a public parking lot in Ybor City checking on a reported fight at 2:30 am.
Jeffrey Dylan Patch began video recording the officers with a cell phone camera. In the blurry video shot by Patch, he was told by an officer, “Sir, please step back.” Patch is asked three times to move back. Though Patch appears to comply, he is warned by an officer that, “You’re interfering with our investigation right now.”
Patch is heard replying, “I am not interfering with your investigation. Sir, I am recording, that is all.” Patch is again told to move back, but in a loud voice directed at the officers he states, “I am just letting you know, I’m just letting you know, I am recording this conversation!” Continue reading
