Release the video

The video of the incident in which Chinedu Okobi was killed by a Taser by San Mateo County deputies must be released to the public immediately.

As a district attorney, you well know that cases are tried in the court of public opinion before they are tried in the courthouse. While you wait on releasing the video, the public is forming opinions about the case — not based on evidence but on how the case is framed by your office and the Sheriff’s Office. This same public is the pool from which the jury if it goes to trial will be drawn.

Mr. Okobi’s sister, Ebele Okobi, and his mother have viewed the video. Ms. Okobi has written about the contents on Facebook and asked that the video be released to the public. Reading her description is not a substitution for viewing the video — however painful it may be to witness Mr. Okobi’s suffering and death.

Your job as district attorney is to represent the public in the pursuit of justice. The truth needs to be seen, heard, known — because the truth is what serves justice — and sets us free.

Toward that purpose, release the video.

Cynthia Eagleton

San Francisco

The letter writer is the CFT Local 4681 vice president, and wrote this on behalf of CFT Local 4681, San Mateo Adult School.