SEATTLE (AP) — A judge has ruled that five Seattle news outlets must comply with a subpoena and give the Seattle Police Department unpublished video and photos from a May 30 racial justice protest.
King County Superior Court Judge Nelson Lee sided with the Police Department in a Thursday hearing, ruling that its subpoena was enforceable.
Lee found that the photos and video were critical for an investigation into the alleged arson of police vehicles and theft of police guns.
Lee says the news organizations were not protected by a Washington state shield law that under many circumstances prevents authorities from obtaining reporters’ unpublished materials.