Las Vegas Athletic Club's request to prevent release of video evidence denied

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A district judge has authorized the release of video evidence from the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) to 8 News Now after a North Las Vegas woman drowned in a pool at the Las Vegas Athletic Club (LVAC) earlier this year.

On June 13, 8 News Now called for the release of video evidence related to the death of 58-year-old Leticia Triplett that could potentially shed light on what was happening in the pool area at the time of her drowning on February 4.

An investigation report published by the SNHD revealed that there was another swimmer in an adjacent pool who eventually provided first aid to Triplett.

In its argument, LVAC had pointed out that about 20 people were in the pool area over a period of 20 minutes while Triplett struggled and later died.

LVAC filed an emergency motion to prevent SNHD from releasing video evidence to 8 News Now, citing concerns about improper use of the video footage and issues of newsworthiness.

During a hearing Thursday, District Judge Timothy Williams authorized 8 News Now’s legal counsel to intervene in deliberations on LVAC’s motion for a temporary restraining order.

Williams said the video evidence of Triplett’s death was valuable to 8 News Now because it was important to the SNHD investigation.

“If the SNHD relied on this video to make its decision – whether the decision was correct or not – doesn’t the media have a right to access the video?” Williams said.

Williams decided that 8 News Now would partner with SNHD in releasing the redacted video.