TV photojournalist charged with misdemeanors after arrest at University of Texas
May 1, 2024
An incident at the University of Texas at Austin has resulted in the arrest of Carlos Giraldo Sanchez, a well-known Austin Fox 7 television photojournalist. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issued a statement on Wednesday, announcing that Sanchez has been charged with two misdemeanors in relation to the incident.
Details of the incident
According to the DPS, Sanchez was taken into custody after his actions at the University of Texas last week. The charges laid against him are “assault and interference with public duties.” Sanchez, 43, was subsequently transported to the Travis County Jail.
A journalist’s responsibility
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the DPS emphasized that journalists, although deserving of access to events, must never hinder the work of law enforcement officials. The incident involved Sanchez moving towards a DPS Trooper and striking the Trooper with his camera in the lower head and neck area. DPS made it unequivocally clear that assaults on law enforcement officers, no matter the degree, will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Sanchez’s attorney’s statement
Sanchez’s attorney, Gerry Morris, issued a statement to a local CNN affiliate, KEYE-TV. The statement read, “Mr. Sanchez was performing an important news gathering function during a chaotic event when he inadvertently bumped into a police officer. He did not commit a crime. We look forward to someone taking an unbiased look at the evidence and exonerating Mr. Sanchez. That may ultimately occur with a jury.”
It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold and determine the course of action for Sanchez. Charges of assault and interference with public duties carry serious implications. Going forward, a non-partisan evaluation of the evidence will be essential in deciding the photographer’s fate. For the time being, the focus remains on ensuring justice prevails and an accurate assessment occurs.
