Defense attorney Jesse Harper is challenging the admissibility of a surveillance video in a criminal case against Pastor Martin Burns, who is accused of felony battery on a 4-year-old child at the Winamac Nazarene Church daycare. Harper argues that the video, shown to be at least four generations removed from the original, may have been altered or degraded, potentially impacting its authenticity. This video purportedly shows Burns kneeling on the child’s chest, an action he claims was necessary to prevent the child from getting hurt. Harper emphasizes a discrepancy in eyewitness accounts and the video evidence, questioning its reliability under the state’s “silent witness” rule. A hearing to discuss the video’s admissibility is, or will be, set before the trial. Burns maintains his innocence, with Harper committed to defending him vigorously.
Pastor seeks to dump video of him allegedly battering child (nwitimes.com)