A Randolph County Judge has denied a motion made by media outlets to unseal the video of slain UNC student Courtland Smith’s shooting.

Amanda Martin, partner in the law firm Everett, Gaskins, Hancock, and Stevens LLP, and who represents WRAL News, The Associated Press and The Daily Tar Heel, says she was disappointed that the video was not released.

On Tuesday, Randolph County Superior Court Judge Brad Long said the police dashboard video from the night of Smith’s shooting did not show Smith being shot.
 
Last month Smith, a UNC junior, died at High Point Regional Medical Center. The Archdale police report says Officer Jeremy Paul Flinchum fired four shots in rapid succession after a “confrontation ensued.”  Smith had been shot twice in the abdomen, and once each in the arm and leg.

Smith was shot less than a minute after being pulled over, and whether or not he did have a gun or whether a confrontation did ensue have not been made clear through the released audio tape.

Martin says there was not a precedent set regarding police dashboard video as public record.

No charges against the Flinchum have been filed, but both he and the other responding officer have been on paid leave since the August 23rd shooting. Should Gregson decide to not press charges against Flinchum, the video will be immediately released. Long ruled that releasing the video would jeopardize the investigation, an investigation that the SBI has not yet completed. Long has allowed the release of the unedited copy of the 911 call Smith made before being pulled over.