Police want Jordan Shanks aka Friendlyjordies to take down youtube videos about his producer, Kristo Langker’s unfolding case.
Langker was arrested in June for allegedly stalking John Barilaro, an accusation that Langker denies and he has pleaded not guilty. At the time, Barilaro was Deputy Premier of NSW but he has since stood down.
According to The Conversation, Barilaro cited his ongoing cases with Friendlyjordies as one of the reasons he decided to resign. Barilaro is also currently suing Shanks for defamation.
The case has continually made headlines, particularly because Shanks has been rather brazen in the face of his defence, essentially documenting his own case and Langkor’s online.
Yesterday, New South Wales Police asked the courts to find Shanks in contempt of court for discussing the case online via his YouTube videos. The police essentially want to gag Shanks so he would be unable to keep speaking about Langkor’s case publicly, and want two videos taken down.
This isn’t technically the ‘normal’ for a judge only case.
Shanks has frequently spoken about the case on his popular Friendlyjordies YouTube channel, which has over half a million subscribers. Shanks even uploaded a video yesterday, on the most recent legal move by the police titled, “Terror police attempt to ban my videos.”
Shanks said: “The cops that completely bungled the wrongful arrest of my employee Kristo, are now throwing the legal equivalent of a tantrum.”
The Guardian, reported that police prosecutor, Amin Assad said: “He’s interfering in the administration of justice, he’s in a position of influencing witnesses.
“We’re not interested in the politics, we’re not interested in the views, the concern is there are now two videos that will, do or may interfere with evidence yet to hand.”
However, Shank’s barrister, Philip Strickland SC argued that silencing Shanks would be an abuse of process.
The Guardian, reported, that he said: “There is nothing here to suggest this would seriously prejudice a trial.
“It is the police wanting to shut down criticism of the police. It’s tantamount to an abuse of process.”
According to the ABC, the judge presiding on the case, Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge said, “Isn’t this giving all of that oxygen?”
Milledge then explained that police needed to be more specific and adjourned the application until next week.
