DuPage judge orders Naperville cops to release dashcam video

A DuPage County judge on Wednesday ordered Naperville police to make public video footage from the squad car of an officer who authorities say was falsely accused of trying to run over a Lisle man.

Chief Public Defender Jeffrey York filed a motion earlier this month seeking to prevent police from releasing any documents and footage while the case continues against Donald Pritchard, the Lisle man charged with filing the false claim.

York said release of the video would damage his client's chance for a fair trial.

But Judge George J. Bakalis said he reviewed the material in question and ordered police to make the video and Pritchard's booking photo available to the media.

Pritchard, 57, of the 500 block of Maple Avenue, was charged with felony disorderly conduct in February after authorities said he falsely claimed an officer tried to run him down with a squad car Nov. 2, 2015, outside Naperville police headquarters at 1350 Aurora Ave.

Authorities said Pritchard was protesting what he believes to be racism in the police department.

The Daily Herald filed a Freedom of Information Act request on Feb. 9 seeking access to the squad car's dashboard camera and all documents related to Pritchard's case.

Bakalis ruled that while the booking photo and "primary video" must be released to the Herald, police are not required to turn over several other items requested by the newspaper, including:

• Video of the police department's bonding lobby.

• The audio of a witness interview.

• Any police reports related to the case.

• Any written statements by the defendant.

• Any documents from an internal affairs investigation.

Naperville city attorneys, with guidance from the DuPage County state's attorney's office and public defender's office, denied the Daily Herald's FOIA request, arguing that releasing the information would stand in the way of Pritchard receiving a fair trial.

But the Illinois attorney general's Public Access Bureau ruled Aug. 2 in favor of releasing the documents and video.

"We are unable to conclude that disclosure of any specific information in the withheld records would create a 'substantial likelihood' of tainting the jury pool or otherwise interfering with the defendant's right to a fair trial," Assistant Attorney General Matt Hartman wrote in the 10-page opinion.

Both York and DuPage State's Attorney Robert Berlin declined to comment on the ruling following Wednesday's hearing.

Naperville spokeswoman Linda LaCloche said the city is reviewing the judge's decision before releasing the video.

Naperville police Cmdr. Jason Arres said in February the video showed the officer turning his vehicle around in the circle drive in front of the department.

State's attorney spokesman Paul Darrah confirmed the footage led to charges being filed against Pritchard.

"Once the footage from the dashcam was reviewed, that completely disproved (Pritchard's) claims that the officer was trying to run him over," Darrah said when charges were filed.

• Daily Herald staff writer Marie Wilson contributed to this report.