Man filming crash victims to be charged criminally

A man in Lorain, Ohio was witness to a crash. His first thought was to pull out his cell phone to video record the aftermath. While others called 911 and tried to render aid he tried to get a better angle to see the victims.

One 17 year old was killed and another 17 year old was injured. The suspect, Paul Pelton, opened car doors then leaned into the car to shoot better images of the victims. He tired to sell the video to news sources.

The local DA has advised the police to arrest him on charges of trespass to a vehicle.

Below is one news account of the incident.

According to a second news report he called the injured teens idiots. So not only was he recording the incident he was insulting people who were hurt and one who would later die.

I think this is a great lesson for many of the so called citizen journalist out there seeking a quick buck and a few minutes of viral video fame. Read between the lines I am talking about CopBlock’s little “film the police” campaign. YES you have the right to film events in public. But there is a line that gets drawn between documentation for knowledge and interjecting yourself into the scene thus becoming part of it.

In other words, feel free to observe (yes even film) the action, but once you start interaction you no longer can claim observer (citizen journalist) status.

What are your thoughts on this case? Feel free to comment below…

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