Should Budna Abduction Video Be Released? Attorney Warns Against It

As public pressure mounts for the release of surveillance footage capturing the abduction of Joseph Budna in Orange Walk, attorney and former journalist Audrey Matura is cautioning against making the video public before the investigation concludes.

In late August, News 5 called for the release of the videos. Critics say it is highly unlikely the Belize Police Department will release the security footage during an ongoing investigation.

Matura, who has worked both in the media and as a prosecutor, says she understands why news outlets want the footage, but from a legal perspective, disclosing it prematurely could undermine the entire case.

She outlined several reasons why the video should remain in police custody at this stage. First, releasing it could prejudice the investigation and amount to tampering with evidence. Second, widespread circulation risks contaminating the potential jury pool, opening the door for defence attorneys to argue their clients cannot receive a fair trial due to pre-trial publicity.

Matura also noted that kidnapping and related charges must be tried by a jury, making the protection of evidence even more critical.

She further warned that releasing the footage could affect witness cooperation. She added that making identities public could prompt suspects to flee or even expose them to vigilante harm before trial.

“If you want the case tried in the media rather than the courts then let the media get it and show it to all of us,” Matura said. “But know that that is not in the best interest of the victim, in this case, Joseph Budna.”

She explained that while the media can request the footage under the Freedom of Information Act, it would not be released until trial, when it must be disclosed in open court.