The relationship between Minneapolis police and A&E true-crime show "The First 48" is once again at the center of a legal battle in a Hennepin County murder case.
Last summer, a film crew for the show followed officers in the investigation leading to the arrest of Dejon Frazier, 19, who has since been charged with fatally shooting a teenager and wounding another man in downtown Minneapolis over the July 4 weekend. Prosecutors have demanded the city produce the footage, believing it could contain evidence. But an attorney for the city has said they don't have access to it. This week, a judge ordered all parties to keep the court updated as the case moves forward.
This marks the third time this year that footage filmed for "The First 48" has stirred controversy in a murder trial.
Police Chief Janeé Harteau signed a contract with the production company in 2014 agreeing to work with the filmmakers. The contract gave producers full ownership of the footage. It also allows police to review a near-final version of the episode before it airs, though filmmakers told the court no such version exists yet.
The city will no longer work with "The First 48," City Attorney Susan Segal said in a statement last month.
ANDY MANNIX
