Reply #23: In That Incident, Sir, As You Will Doubtless Recall [View All]

[The Magistrate]

Many people, including the police department and defense attorneys, pressed claims that the tape provided an incomplete picture of the incident, which reflected falsely on the actions of both the officers and Mr. King. If recollection serves, such arguments prevailed at trial in state court. So the line of argument you seem to find so distressing here is hardly a novel one, and is one that can prove successful when well argued.

Until the tape has been examined by independent persons with expertise, and matched with testimony of other witnesses, it is not known to what degree it is a true recording of incident. It is not known whether it was edited, whether the camera and sound were off at intervals. It is not known what transpired after the tape was made, among the persons in the office. In this condition, it is certainly not only possible but proper to say that what we have seen to date represents the view of one side only.

You may continue, if you like, to try and press this as a personal matter, and accuse me of whatever foul thing or other strikes you as useful, but you will not achieve anything by it.

"What other people think of me is none of my business."