Judge: The Jury May Infer Bad Cops' Misconduct

A man walking his dog in Littleton, Colorado has his phone snatched out of his hand in the dark. The description that goes out is thin: a Black man, about six feet tall, in a gray or yellow hoodie and jeans. Within the hour, a police officer stops a man who fits it and lets him go in under five minutes. Four hours later, on his way back to the station, the same officer stops another Black man in a yellow hoodie. This one is wearing sweatpants. Colorado law required the officer's body camera to be on. It never was. On the stand, one short answer at a time, the officer explains why he stopped this man and not the first one. The jurors send up a question of their own: why did he think this was the suspect? The only identification comes from a show-up hours after the crime, by a witness who had her back turned, saw a profile in the dark, and had given police no description before she was shown one man on a street corner. Then the judge tells the jury what Colorado law says missing body camera footage can mean. A hoodie got him stopped. Was it enough? Arapahoe County District Court, Colorado. Jury trial. Cases and law in this video: Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-31-902 (body-worn cameras) Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-1-110 (showup identification procedures) Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-4-301 (robbery) People v. Havens, 2025 CO 65 Manson v. Brathwaite, 432 U.S. 98 (1977) Bernal v. People, 44 P.3d 184 (Colo. 2002) People v. Theus-Roberts, 2015 COA 32 People v. Bartowsheski, 661 P.2d 235 (Colo. 1983) The content presented herein is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or substitute for professional legal counsel. All legal analysis reflects this channel's interpretation of publicly available records, statutes, and case law at the time of production. Nothing in this program creates an attorney–client relationship. Viewers in need of legal advice are advised to consult a qualified attorney. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, this channel makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of any information contained herein.