Judges rules for release of 911 calls in shooting by Johnston County deputy

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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Well slap(or should i say shoot us)"the general public" for being so niave about how this nation expects its deputies to act and resolve a threatening conflict.It would make it easier for you right?Just blow someone away.How do u know we dont know how a deputy is supposed to resolve situations,maybe its just that we have certain expectations from those that are sworn to protect and serve.Mabe we just dont think its ok to go blowing people away left and right to resolve situations,but its nice to know that that is how these officers are being trained..."to kill" you say... yea lets see if the world is a better place with that train of thought an ya your right,it will become a "us against them type thing" and i guess the "general public" will loose because instead of working things out you can just kill us all.It should be known that thats how you in blue feel about "The general public" as you call us!!your not better becaus you hold a badge!! Its not a cut and dry story!Thats obvious!

shandra7
November 27, 2008 9:53 p.m.

The only exercise some people get is flying off the handle, jumping to conclusions and rushing to judgment, oblivious to physical evidence and testimony of all witnessess.

news4u
November 27, 2008 3:05 p.m.

jon2four,

Get a clue then come back. right now, you're lost.

leo-nc
November 27, 2008 1:44 p.m.

Allow me to enlighten you two in the "general public" that seem to take great glee in telling LEO's how to do a job you totally know nothing about:

(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.

Trublue in Wake County
November 27, 2008 11:57 a.m.

Here's my take - I don't care what you arm-chair wanna-be police officers say about "took quick to shoot" "they should have shot him to wound" "could'nt they have shot the gun out of his hands." blah blah blah..unless you wear the badge with us and are a part of us - you AINT us.

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.