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ASHEBORO — The father of a UNC-Chapel Hill student killed by police along Interstate 85 in an August traffic stop testified Friday the release of videos that show his son’s last moments would have a deep, damaging impact on friends and family.

Pharr Smith, the father of 21-year-old Courtland Smith who was killed Aug. 23 by an Archdale police officer, testified he didn’t want memories of his son tarnished by a drunken personality displayed on the side of the highway that contradicts the real man his family knew and loved.

“I really don’t want the last picture in my mind to be whatever he looked like that night.... It would be very painful for me to have that be the last picture in my mind,” Pharr Smith testified.

Randolph County Superior Court Judge Brad Long is expected to make a decision next week whether to release  videos of the incident captured by dashboard cameras mounted in two Archdale police patrol cruisers.

Long told a crowded courtroom he needed more time to review arguments made by attorneys for both Smith’s family and numerous media outlets that have requested the videos be made public. By law, the videos can be released under the court’s discretion.

Courtland Smith of Houston was killed at Exit 108 off Interstate 85 by Archdale police officer Jeremy Flinchum. Two officers had responded to a 911 call of a man driving drunk on the interstate at high speeds, armed with a handgun and reporting he was suicidal.

The case was investigated by the SBI. While a 911 call made by Smith and police radio communications of the incident were made public, the videos were not.

In September, multiple media outlets filed a lawsuit in order to get the videos released in the public’s interest.

Long denied that request until a criminal investigation of the incident was completed and ordered the videos released if prosecutors ruled no charges would be filed against the officer or following a criminal trial.

In late October, Smith’s family filed a motion to keep the tapes sealed regardless of what happened in the case — citing the emotional impact it would have on his family and friends.

The Randolph County District Attorney’s Office ruled Dec. 4, that the shooting was justified, citing Courtland Smith’s refusal of officers’ demands to show his hands during the traffic stop and more notably, that he suddenly raised his arm at Flinchum with an unknown black object, prompting the officer to shoot.

The item was later proven to be a cell phone, according to a news release.

In addition to Pharr Smith and his wife, Susan, about 40 people showed up to oppose the release of the videos. The group — which included members of Courtland Smith’s fraternity and friends — donned blue ribbons in the man’s memory.

Pharr Smith, who has not seen the videos, testified he believes in the judicial system and that a five-page report released by prosecutors is an accurate depiction of what happened. He said the report coincides with what his attorney’s review of the tape revealed.

“My not needing to see the pictures personally is based on general trust in the system and ... so I don’t know why anyone else would need to see the pictures,” the father said. “The only value I can see for (the media) to see the video would be to report for shock value stuff.”

Media attorney Hugh Stevens said the release is needed to eliminate any doubt with the public about what happened in the death of a prominent young man who died at the hands of the state.

“The (District Attorney’s) release shed some light on this troubling situation, but there is more light to be shed,” Stevens said.
 

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com