Video Camera as Part of Defense?

[marklbucla]

If anyone's noticed, a lot of my posts are leaning towards "legal defense" following the act of self defense. So, do any of you use a video camera in addition to a gun as part of your defense plan? Maybe have it planned so that a family member video tapes events from behind a corner or have one mounted on a tripod?

 

[foghornl]

The outside of my home is covered by the X-10 Vidcams, with motion detectors to start the VCR. So, those folks outside will be taped while putting on their ski masks, gloves, etc. [VCR is hidden between first-floor joists in basement]

I don't have any vidcams inside, though. Hmmmmmm.........

Not such a bad idea...The Police already have the "dash cam" in most of the patrol cars now.

 

[Soap]

If anything, interior home surveillance should be automated. There are too many factors in HD so don't create another complication. Your family members should be concentrating on staying safe and alive rather than on their cinematography. Also don't forget that if you have footage, it can work both ways: incriminating you or them.

 

[sanchezero]

Since I'm starring in an upcoming reality TV series, juts about everything I do is on camera. I should be OK as long as I don't do anything stoopid.

 

[clubsoda22]

I can see it being used against you too.

"Here you can see my clients head explode as the evil, high powered, magnum, hollowpoint, cop killer, armor piercing, anti tank bullet entered his skull."

 

[WT]

COURT TV recently interviewed a defense lawyer regarding video cameras. It can work against people in that they will be asked to give a statement regarding what happened. If the person is upset he will inevitably leave something out of the statement which the camera will pick up. Then it will appear that the person is lying. A lot of actions also take place out of camera view.

 

[MrFreeze]

FogHorn,

On your video setup, you have to order the cameras as well as the motion detectors? How do you set the VCR to auto record when the motion starts?

I've been trying to figure out what I'd need from X10, but their site has too much junk all over the place to be very effective.

Travis

 

[HankB]

Also don't forget that if you have footage, it can work both ways: incriminating you or them.

It can only work against you if the other side gets their hands on the footage before you and your legal team review it - consider the conveniently missing footage of the original BATman raid on Waco. (Admittedly, maintaining control may be difficult in some circumstances.)

It can work against people in that they will be asked to give a statement regarding what happened. If the person is upset he will inevitably leave something out of the statement which the camera will pick up.

Yet another reason to say nothing beyond "I want to speak with an attorney" when being interrogated.

 

[Correia]

I would imagine that in a home defense situation my wife is going to have more important things to do than grab the video camera. I would rather have backup.

Plus how is video taping a violent encounter going to be played up to the jury? "Yes ladies and gentlemen, once my client entered the home the defendant's wife prepared to video tape the shooting, as the defendant waited eagerly in ambush. So they could enjoy their act of vigilantism over and over again!" A stretch? Maybe, but you have got to admit that it is going to look weird.

 

[clubsoda22]

personally, i'd rather it be my word against a dead criminals.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Another potential problem is that your use of deadly force was based on your perceiving a threat that justified you shooting someone. The legal basis then becomes if you acted as a "reasonable" person would act if placed in the same situation. A jury seeing that tape may ignore the threat you claimed to have perceived and replace it with their perception. Sitting calmly in a courtroom, watching the tape, they may see things quite differently than you saw after having been awoken in the middle of the night to confront a BG, with the combination of adrenaline pumping and fear, having to make a split second decision.

There is some wisdom in the old saying that if you use deadly force, it's better if the police only hear your side of the story, not your and the BG's sides.

 

[artherd]

Yeah, he came in, pointed something at my wife, so I shot him. Ninteen times.

Sorry, no tape, I didn't have a tape in the machine.

 

[Diggler]

artherd said...
Yeah, he came in, pointed something at my wife, so I shot him. Ninteen times.

Sorry, no tape, I didn't have a tape in the machine.

But the video of the events DID show up on THR somehow!

 

[Mannlicher]

video can work as much against you as for you. Frankly, I had to laugh when I first read this. Matter of fact, I am still laughing.

 

[ChickenHawk]

If the guy was in MY house when I shot him, and my family is there to back up my story that we were in danger ...

I don't see how a video can be of any benefit to me.

OTOH, I can imagine a gazillion ways a prosecutor could use a video against me, even though I was in the right.

Cheers,
ChickenHawk

 

[marklbucla]

Frankly, I had to laugh when I first read this. Matter of fact, I am still laughing.

Glad I was able to brighten up your day, Mannlicher. I'm just sad that I couldn't have brought at least a smile to anyone else's face.




Well, highroaders, here's to the first 100 ignorant and stupid questions of mine, and may I have many hundreds more!