Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OGDEN — Newly released video reveals more about the Jan. 4 shooting that injured 5 Ogden police officers and killed Agent Jared Francom.
The video is stirring: 12 various angles of the night released by Ogden, South Ogden and Riverdale authorities. And the release of those tapes is also stirring the court of public opinion.
As documented by the dash-cam video, law enforcement responds to the Ogden home of Matthew Stewart on a cold January night, serving a search warrant.
Amid a flurry of gunfire and confusion, six officers were shot; one, Jared Francom, later died from his injuries.
Newly released video shows moments of chaos and moments of heroism by law enforcement officials. But it doesn't show what some call clear, convincing proof that Stewart was the only one at fault.
"As you can tell by the videos, there was multiple shots," said Corrina Patino, "and there's no determining who all those shots came from."
Patino is organizing Stewart supporters. They're planning a meeting for Thursday, April 12, called Keep the Peace. The aim is to ensure Stewart remains innocent until proven guilty.
"I really just got involved because he deserves a fair trial, like anyone else," an unnamed supporter told KSL Tuesday. "And I hope that he gets it, because he deserves it."
Sentiments echoed by Weber County Attorney Dee Smith. An influx of media attention and videos like these can sway public opinion and make the case even more difficult to pursue, he said.
"Whenever we get to the jury trial, we're going to have to find jurors that haven't already made up their minds on this case," Smith said.
Stewart currently faces aggravated murder charges as well as several other felonies stemming from the Jan. 4 incident. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
