City of Shelby ends effort to block release of police audio recordings
The city of Shelby has reversed course after filing a petition asking to block release of information from 911 calls and police radio audio in connection with an officer who was charged with assault.
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“The City of Shelby realizes the importance of the release of otherwise public information,” a dismissal filed in court by the city attorney on Wednesday states.
This comes after The Charlotte Observer requested records from Shelby City Attorney Jason Lunsford regarding the case of Karson Hyder, a former Shelby police officer charged with assault after video showed him repeatedly punching a woman in May.
North Carolina law defines the contents of 911 calls and recordings of emergency personnel broadcasts as public records.
It is unclear what is in the 911 call or the radio communications.
Lunsford in June told the Observer he was concerned that release of the information publicly could jeopardize the investigation of the officer.
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In court on Wednesday, he dropped his request that a judge allow the city to withhold the records, saying that release would no longer hinder an active investigation.
Lunsford informed The Observer that the records are being processed and will be delivered in response to the public records request.
On May 30, Shelby Police Officer Karson Hyder was captured repeatedly punching 34-year-old Cherie Moore during an arrest. He was later fired by the department and charged with assault. The charge remains pending in court.
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Staff writer Jeff A. Chamer contributed.
