Judge dismisses digital data order for Washington County, Tennessee law enforcment

A court order imposed by Judge Stacy Street in September that bridged a more efficient evidence sharing system was dismissed in Criminal Court on Wednesday.

The judge approved the previous plan of preserving digital evidence after District Attorney Steve Finney and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office were having discrepancies of saving and then storing camera-captured footage from body cams and patrol vehicles for review by Finney’s office.

Employees reviewed hundreds of cases dating back to 2020 when the office was operated by Sheriff Ed Graybeal to ensure proper evidence was preserved.

“The two offices fully cooperated for a full evaluation of processes which had been in place for decades,” the statement said.

“…In light of the findings, it is clear that the Washington County Sheriff’s Office did not knowingly or intentionally withhold any camera footage from the District Attorney’s office and that the citizens of Washington County can have confidence in both offices,” said a statement from Finney in the report.