Oakland Tribune reporter won't be charged
November 5, 2008

OAKLAND - Alameda County prosecutors are not filing charges against an Oakland Tribune photographer who was detained and had her video footage taken by Oakland police.

Art Michel, a police officer with the Oakland School District, accused Jane Tyska of swinging at his patrol car while she filmed a protest against federal immigration policy outside the Fruitvale BART station last Friday.

Michel said when he tried to get Tyska into his car, she attempted to incite the crowd.

But Tyska says Michel grazed her with his patrol car and then yelled profanities at her before taking her video. The footage, which was returned and posted on the newspaper's Web site, shows Michel cursing during the confrontation.

A school spokesman says Michel's language was unacceptable.