McMINNVILLE, Tenn. – Three members of a video team for The Weather Channel have been charged with trespassing for allegedly refusing to leave the property of a woman who was killed by a tornado.
Edward John Lazano Jr., Bradley Reynolds and Jorma Brandon Duran were freed on $500 bail each after their arrests Wednesday, The Southern Standard reported. Calls seeking comment Saturday from the Warren County sheriff's office were not immediately returned.
They allegedly were videotaping on the property of Sherry Bruce, who was killed when storms struck the area on April 7.
"There are eight no trespassing signs posted on the property," Bruce's brother-in-law, Lynn Boren, wrote in warrants filed against the video team. "They were asked at least six times over 30 minutes to leave."
Sheriff Jackie Matheny denied reports that he gave them permission to be on the property.
"If they say they were given permission by me, they are telling a big one. Plus I'd have no authority to tell them that since it's private property," Matheny said.
There was no response to calls seeking comment Friday from Weather Channel spokeswoman Kathleen Lane.
"While we cannot comment on legal proceedings, we are upset and saddened this family suffered the loss of one of its members," she told the Southern Standard on Thursday.
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