Video released by KXAN of a candidates forum in Wimberley Feb. 5 does not show the moment when Michele Hart was hit over the head by a television camera; but it does show a pattern of hostility towards the news crew she later accused of assault.
Hart told the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch last week that the station’s cameraman deliberately hit her with the camera in an attempt to get to Pct. 3 Constable Ray Helm, who along with his challenger in the March 3 GOP primary, was speaking at the Fraternal Order of Police-sponsored forum.
Hart, who said she is pressing charges, had complained that the news crew was “pushing people out of the way asking questions” of Helm.
But the video, released by KXAN News Director Chad Cross, shows Darrell Ayers, who is listed on the county’s web page as a part of Helm’s staff, step in front of and physically push reporter Jody Barr as he was attempting to question Helm after the forum’s conclusion.
A news release from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office appeared to confirm Ayers’ involvement, describing the incident as “an altercation … involving an Austin area television crews and staff members of Hays County Precinct 3 Constable’s Ray Helm’s office.”
Two segments of video were released by KXAN. In the first, taken before the start of the forum, Barr approaches Helm and asks a question and Helm responded that he was not going to be interviewed. KXAN says that Helm had “declined multiple requests since November to schedule an interview” with the station, instead sending written responses. During the course of that interaction, Helm was occupied with his phone when he told Barr, “You can go away” and, “Get away from me.”
The second piece of video shows Barr once again approaching Helm after the forum’s conclusion and Helm waving him off before Ayers gets in front of Barr and pushes him. No video was released of the actual forum, or of any questions Helm may have answered.
The forum was one of several throughout the county ahead of the March 3 primaries. Helm did not show up for one last week sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Hays County, though his primary opponent did.
KXAN said that in a written statement to Hays County deputies, the cameraman, who was not named, “said he was ‘shoved by who a witness told me was Darrell Ayers,’” which caused him to fall in the direction of Hart, who said the camera came down on the back of her head.
As is protocol when a law enforcement agency is involved, the Texas Rangers have been called in to investigate the incident. KXAN said the station “has attempted repeatedly to contact the Rangers for an update on the investigation but so far has received no information.”
The sheriff’s office said it would not comment further.
