Detroit News reporter George Hunter revealed how hotel video from outside Chris Cornell’s room could play a role in a potential civil lawsuit surrounding his death if one is ever filed. He also mentioned the argument that police should have taken the video due to the high nature profile of the case.
Police say they didn’t take the video into evidence, but reviewed it at the scene. The detective told me everything lined up with the bodyguard’s story (standard, since he was the last to see him alive). The case was ruled a suicide (some say prematurely, but not uncommon). 1/
— George Hunter (@GeorgeHunter_DN) November 15, 2017
In Detroit, there’s a unit that will come to scenes to extract video in cases that require it. The squad is made up of only a few officers who have to cover the whole city. Think of all the shootings, armed robberies, etc. in Detroit every day. 2/
— George Hunter (@GeorgeHunter_DN) November 15, 2017
So it’s not unusual at all for them to not take the video into evidence. And thus, since it belongs to a private company, it’s not subject to FOIA. I’ve FOIAed everything I can think of in the case. 3/
— George Hunter (@GeorgeHunter_DN) November 15, 2017
One can argue that, given the high profile nature of the case, and the fact that the bodyguard kicked doors in, the cops should’ve taken video anyway. But with only one unit running ragged, it’s not surprising that they didn’t. 4/
— George Hunter (@GeorgeHunter_DN) November 15, 2017
If there’s ever a civil lawsuit, the video likely would be subpoenaed. I’m not sure if the hotel archives their video, or for how long. I called the company to ask about their security protocols but they didn’t call back. /end
— George Hunter (@GeorgeHunter_DN) November 15, 2017
