Smithfield, N.C. — A Superior Court judge has ruled that 911 calls and traffic recordings related to an officer-involved shooting that killed a Kenly man may be released.
Judge Tom Lock on Wednesday gave investigators until noon Dec. 2 to finish any work they say needs to be done in the Nov. 22 death of Reginald Lee Witcher before the recordings become public record.
Witcher, 54, died Saturday night after a Johnston County sheriff's deputy shot himat his home at 2349 Glendale Road. A sheriff's spokeswoman said that when deputies arrived, Witcher shot at them from his front door, and a deputy returned fire.
Lock on Tuesday ordered the recordings to be sealed, saying that releasing them could jeopardize the ongoing investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation.
At a hearing Friday, District Attorney Susan Doyle said that she requested the recordings be sealed until all key witnesses had been interviewed.
Unless the state files another motion to keep the records under seal, they are expected to be released at noon Dec. 2.
Wednesday's decision came after a hearing in which attorneys for The News & Observer newspaper asked Lock to vacate his order.
Authorities have declined to explain specific details and circumstances that led to the shooting.
A preliminary investigative report states that the deputies were responding to paramedics' request for assistance because of a "highly intoxicated crowd."
Johnston County EMS officials said a crew was there to treat a female guest who had fallen at Witcher's home.
The two deputies, Deputy Sgt. J.K. Garner and Deputy A.J. Case, are both on administrative leave with pay, which is standard procedure for all officer-involved shootings.



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November 27, 2008 9:53 p.m.
November 27, 2008 3:05 p.m.
Get a clue then come back. right now, you're lost.
November 27, 2008 1:44 p.m.
(1) We DO NOT shoot to a.wound b.warn c.incapacitate - we are trained to shoot center mass, as fast as possible..ie; KILL...Yes, believe me, we will try to "talk you down" however, each situation will dictate the actions of both the officer and the ARMED suspect... (2) The only commentor here who seems to have taken the statement out of context and formulated the "us against them" perception seems to be ummmmmmm, you?? (3) I love my job and would not dare seek another - it appears to be you however that is quick to judge, investigate, speculate, and assume every single time a police officer discharges his weapon, yet you are the SAME cry baby that whines "oh where were the police" when an armed suspects committs a crime with a weapon. (4) stick to your arm chair quarterbacking until the "shady" investigation is complete.
November 27, 2008 11:57 a.m.
So it's now "us and them",with this attitude it's a wonder if there arn't a lot more of "US" dead. No,we're not wanna be cops ,it might hurt your tender feelings to find out that you are a public servant and serve at the mercy of the public.If you don't like your job resign,it just might make the world a safer place and you wont be so uptight.
November 27, 2008 10:58 a.m.