A judge has approved the release of portions of the video related to John Neville's death. He died eight months ago following injuries he sustained in the Forsyth County Detention Center. The order came amidst several competing interests.
Neville's family requested in December that Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough not release information regarding their father's passing, including video recordings of the actions that preceded his death. When the news broke seven months later, followed by five detention officers and a nurse being charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case, pressure began mounting. A petition for release of the recordings was filed by an 11-member media coalition. Protest groups demonstrated for more transparency, and finally, the Neville family, through legal counsel joined the petitioners.
The defendants — those charged in Neville's death — objected to the release contending that doing so would impair their ability to receive a fair trial. They also raised personal safety concerns if the recordings are released publicly.
Presiding Superior Court Judge R. Gregory Horne concluded that the significant local, state, and national public interest in the case compelled its release. He found that the video would not threaten fair administration of justice. The release will occur on Wednesday, August 5, 2020.