Woman shot by CBP in Chicago wants evidence disclosed to public

[ad_1] An legal professional for a Chicago girl shot and wounded by a Customs and Border Safety agent throughout Operation Halfway Blitz is asking a federal choose to permit the general public disclosure of proof -- together with physique digicam footage, digital communications and pictures -- so as to "fight the persevering with hurt to her popularity" and to tell the general public concerning the authorities's response to the taking pictures incident.

"What occurred to Ms. Martinez and the reality concerning the occasions of October 4, 2025, in addition to what is going on with the killing of two different people by DHS brokers have turn out to be issues of sturdy public curiosity and debate," wrote Chris Parente, an legal professional for Marimar Martinez, who was shot 5 occasions after her car was concerned in a collision with an SUV pushed by Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum.

Public disclosure of the proof "is important to permit Ms. Martinez to make sure that debate relies the truth is," Parente argued.

The proof Parente now seeks to make public is roofed by a protecting order that prohibits him from disclosing the supplies or utilizing them in reference to every other matter with out additional order of the courtroom. Such orders are customary in felony circumstances so as to defend the integrity of a trial.

ABC Information and different media organizations beforehand sought modification of the protecting order within the case to acquire the physique digicam footage and different proof. The movement was denied by U.S. District Choose Georgia Alexakis.

The federal government dismissed its case towards Martinez in late November.

However Parente argues in his movement filed Monday that the federal authorities -- regardless of abandoning its prosecution of Martinez -- is continuous to have interaction in a "counter-factual public relations conflict" towards his shopper. He notes that authorities statements labeling Martinez as a "home terrorist" stay on-line on official accounts.

<img alt="PHOTO: Marimar Martinez, center, is greeted by her family after being released from the Metropolitan Correctional Center after being shot by immigration agents and charged with assaulting federal officers in an incident in Chicago, Oct. 6, 2025. " class="hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI " data-testid="prism-image" draggable="false" loading="lazy" src="https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/8ce0cb7c-8756-4f0c-9c93-af72ac56170d/Marimar-gty-er-260126_1769471710449_hpMain.jpg"/> Marimar Martinez, middle, is greeted by her household after being launched from the Metropolitan Correctional Middle after being shot by immigration brokers and charged with assaulting federal officers in an incident in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood, Oct. 6, 2025.

E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/Tribune Information Service through Getty Photos

There's "good trigger" to switch the protecting order, Parente argues, as a result of "the power to disseminate the factual proof concerning the occasions of October 4 and DHS's response to Ms. Martinez's taking pictures is of the utmost significance to Ms. Martinez, and albeit to your entire nation at this tragic time in our nation's historical past."

"The Protecting Order has turn out to be an albatross round her neck and retains your entire nation in the dead of night about how DHS responds to deadly drive incidents by their brokers which have now sadly turn out to be a weekly incidence. As an alternative of defending towards improper disclosures, it's a prophylactic to countering a pernicious misinformation marketing campaign mounted by america. The federal government shouldn't be permitted to wage this marketing campaign towards Ms. Martinez whereas actively suppressing the target proof that she may use to counteract these efforts," Parente wrote.

Martinez and one other man had been charged in October with assault with a lethal weapon, accused of following the brokers' automobiles and initiating the collision with Exum's SUV that led to the taking pictures on Chicago's south aspect. Federal prosecutors stated Exum fired 5 rounds defensively after Martinez allegedly drove towards him when he exited his car after the crash, based on courtroom filings.

At a listening to within the case final fall, Parente informed the courtroom that he had reviewed video from one agent's body-worn digicam and contended that what he noticed and heard didn't align with the federal government's allegations. Parente claimed that the agent sporting the body-camera was within the rear of the Border Patrol car and could possibly be heard saying, "Do one thing, b----" within the moments earlier than the automobiles collided.

"After I watched the video after this agent says, 'Do one thing, b----,' I see the motive force of this car flip the wheel to the left, which might be per him working into Ms. Martinez's car," Parente stated. "After which seconds later, he jumps out and simply begins taking pictures."

Prosecutors disputed Parente’s characterization of the video.

Parente additionally alleged that the federal authorities could have spoiled or altered proof when it allowed the broken car Exum was driving to be launched to him and pushed again to his dwelling base in Maine, the place a Customs and Border Safety mechanic later wiped off black scuff marks after the FBI had processed the SUV in Chicago, based on courtroom data.

Choose Alexakis ordered the car returned to Chicago and for Exum to seem in individual for testimony. At a courtroom listening to in early November, Parente confronted Exum with textual content messages he despatched to household and buddies, through which he appeared to boast about his taking pictures expertise.

"I fired 5 rounds and she or he had 7 holes. Put that in your e-book, boys," a type of messages stated.

"We recognize the U.S. legal professional being considerate in agreeing to dismiss this," Parente stated after the federal government dismissed its case towards Martinez.

Martinez thanked the choose and "everyone that supported me."

Parente informed reporters at the moment that Martinez did not need to be shot and that they're "going to work on getting her justice," however for now are grateful that the prosecutors "did the precise factor."