Highway Patrol Refuses to Release 911 Tape from Cyclist Death Incident Involving Judge Matthew Gary

Sacramento Bee investigative reporter Brad Branan has published a new article about the traffic fatality involving Judge Matthew Gary and cyclist Margaret Bengs. The California Highway Patrol declined a request by the paper to release the 911 recording from the incident, according to the Bee:

Peter Scheer, executive director of the First Amendment Coalition, said the CHP is not required to release the recording, but added that nothing in the law prohibits its disclosure. Given the public interest in how the CHP is handling the investigation of a judge, he said the agency should release the recording, especially since the investigation does not appear to involve criminal activity.

“Unless there’s some particular reason other than just trying to save the judge from personal embarrassment, some specific legal reason, they should be releasing it, because it is a matter of public interest,” he said. “The people will want to know if he’s getting preferential treatment.”

Gary has repeatedly declined to discuss the crash, and the CHP has said it is conducting an impartial investigation.

To read the full article at the Sacramento Bee, click here. For a list of Sacramento Family Court News articles about controversial Judge Matthew Gary, click here.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article47636890.html#storylink=cpy