ATLANTA (Jan. 24, 2007) -- A security video showing Falcons quarterback Michael Vick surrendering a water bottle to a security screener at Miami International Airport was erased because it would not be needed for evidence.
The Jan. 17 video was part of the investigation into the water bottle with a hidden compartment that an initial police report said contained a "small amount of dark particulate" and an odor consistent with marijuana.
Authorities this week said lab tests showed no evidence of drugs, and the bottle is no longer considered evidence in an investigation. Vick was cleared by police of any wrongdoing.
In a report on its web site, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said it requested a copy of the video on Jan. 18 from the Miami-Dade Police Department under the state's public records law. Police spokesman Robert Williams said at the time that police decided they would not release it because it was part of an open investigation.
On Jan. 23, after authorities said the case was closed, the newspaper again requested a copy of the video and was told it had been erased.
According to the newspaper, Williams wrote in an e-mail: "That information was shown to the State Attorney's Office and it was determined by them that no criminal act was committed and no charges were filed. Therefore. this video was deleted from the flash drive since it was not being used in a criminal case."
Williams confirmed Jan. 24 to The Associated Press that the flash drive was erased some time this week, and the case was closed. Williams said he does not know exactly what day and time it was erased.
