BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Supreme Court ruled Monday, Nov. 2, that parts of an approximately 13-minute body-camera recording connected to Deputy Tobin Bolter’s fatal 2024 shooting must be released under Idaho public-records law. The court allowed Ada County to withhold a segment involving the shooting’s immediate aftermath because of privacy protections.
Idaho Supreme Court sets Bolter video disclosure boundaries
The unanimous ruling found that the full recording qualifies as a public record. However, the justices partially overturned a district court decision requiring release of the video in its entirety.
The court ordered Ada County to provide Garth Gaylord with the opening 37 seconds of the recording, along with footage beginning at the 8-minute, 36-second mark. Video between 38 seconds and 8 minutes, 35 seconds may remain confidential under the privacy exemption.
Ada County deputy was shot during Boise traffic stop
Bolter was shot April 20, 2024, during a traffic stop near West Overland Road and South Raymond Street in Boise. He died the following day from his injuries.
Gaylord submitted his records request about six months after the shooting. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office initially refused to release the recording, pointing to active investigations.
Sheriff Matt Clifford maintained that disclosure would violate the privacy of Bolter’s family and other people visible in the video. The Supreme Court recognized significant privacy interests for Bolter’s widow and daughter in allowing the middle portion to be withheld.
Court declines penalty against Matt Clifford
The justices directed that all video not covered by the privacy exemption be provided to Gaylord. The court did not impose a civil penalty on Clifford.
The decision does not specify when the portions ordered released will be made available to the public.