AG Abbott: Krusee arrest won't be subjected to YouTube remix

Remember the recent DWI arrest of outgoing state Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Round Rock? Well, Attorney General Greg Abbott has decided to withhold the dash-cam video of his arrest – at the request of Texas Department of Public Safety lawyers. In a letter sent yesterday, Abbott agreed to the DPS request under section 552.108(a)(1) of the Texas Government Code, which says “Information held by a law enforcement agency or prosecutor that deals with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if: (1) release of the information would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime;”

So exactly what is DPS worried about? And why weren’t they so eager to withhold when Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos got busted for DWI in 2001? Or is this just another example of DPS and their “redaction is fine with us” approach to legislators on tape?

This article appears in May 16 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.