Judge orders ALEA to show her video of Jabari Peoples shooting amid claims of alternate versions

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - A Jefferson County judge has ordered the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to disclose to her court body camera footage of the fatal officer-involved shooting of 18-year-old Jabari Peoples.

Judge Elisabeth French, presiding judge for the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama, issued her order shortly after a hearing on two petitions filed by the legal team representing Peoples’ family asking for evidence, including that video, to be preserved under Rule 27 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.

Judge French has ordered ALEA to show her the body camera video no later than Tuesday, September 16, and noted that it must be the exact version ALEA disclosed to Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr.

This follows claims from attorney Leroy Maxwell, who represents Peoples’ family, that they were shown a different version of the footage than what Carr viewed.

It was Carr who allowed the family to view the video last month.

Maxwell claims there is reason to believe the video shown to him and to family members of the shooting was edited, and during Tuesday’s hearing asked for all body camera footage and dash camera footage to be preserved, as well as for depositions from those who have viewed the video, including Homewood’s police chief and ALEA’s director.

Maxwell also asked for Judge French to be able to view the video for an in camera inspection.

Attorneys representing the City of Homewood, where Peoples was killed, say the claims from the family’s legal team are allegations, not fact, and that there is only one version of the video, which they say is what the family was shown.

“From what I’ve seen, there is no difference,” said Wayne Morse, who represents the City of Homewood. “I think they need to talk to Mr. Carr.”

Attorneys and counsel for ALEA asked that the judge dismiss the agency from the petition because they are no longer the custodian of the body camera video since their investigation is complete.

ALEA representatives claim a deposition from its director, Chris Inabinett, is also unnecessary.

“Deposition from Mr. Inabinett is not needed for this phantom video,” Noel Barnes told Judge French, who serves as general counsel for ALEA.

Legal representatives for Peoples’ family, the City of Homewood, and ALEA all declined to speak with reporters following the hearing.

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