Judge allows release of body camera footage in case of Chicago woman shot by CBP

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

57% : Greg Bovino, the chief patrol agent for the U.S. Border Patrol El Centro sector, center, stands with federal immigration agents near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025."They communicate his impression of the relevant events," Judge Alexakis said.
55% : A federal judge on Friday granted a motion to permit the public release of body camera footage and other evidence in the case of a Chicago woman who was shot five times by a Customs and Border Protection agent last fall.U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis granted the motion from Marimar Martinez to publicly disclose body camera footage, photographs, FBI reports and other evidence in the case.An attorney for Martinez, who was shot and wounded by a Customs and Border Protection agent during Operation Midway Blitz, had asked the court to allow the release of more evidence from the shooting -- including body camera footage, electronic communications and photographs -- in order to "combat the continuing harm to her reputation."Among the evidence the judge ordered released is the body camera footage of Charles Exum, the CBP agent who fired the shots, plus two other agents; FBI reports on Exum and the other agents; audio of Martinez's 911 call; FBI reports regarding custody and medical treatment; and about 40 text messages Exum sent to friends, family and coworkers following the shooting.The government in November dismissed the charges it had brought against Martinez after it had accused her of participating in an "ambush" of CBP agents by ramming them with her car.While the body camera footage to be released does not show the shooting -- because Exum was not wearing his body camera at the time -- Martinez's attorney told reporters that audio of the gunfire will be audible in other videos that will be released.
46% : Such orders are standard in criminal proceedings to protect the integrity of a trial.ABC News and other media organizations previously sought to modify the protective order to obtain the footage, but the motion was denied by U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis.In a court filing, the government argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to release the evidence due to a pending appeal, but also argued that sensitive law enforcement data, including the CBP agent's private text messages, should remain sealed to protect investigative tactics and personal privacy.Parente had argued in court filings that federal authorities were continuing to engage in a "counter-factual public relations war" against his client.

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