By Tony Plohetski
The Austin American-Statesman
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Department of Public Safety officials today released grainy videos and still photos recorded by security cameras the night of the Governor’s mansion fire.
One video shows a man walking on a sidewalk near the mansion; a second video shows a man running on a sidewalk immediately after the fire began. Authorities said they are not sure if it is the same person.
“We are asking the public for help,” said Lt. Alvin Alexis of the Texas Rangers.
The first video shows a man wearing a baseball cap with a Longhorn logo; a dark-colored, short-sleeved shirt and dark pants. He may be wearing glasses and appears to be between 5-feet, 8-inches to 6-feet tall with a medium build.
Investigators until today had fought the release of the video, saying that it could jeopardize the investigation. Alexis said today that authorities have been following up on nearly 200 leads and enhancing the quality of the video. He said other leads have “not proven fruitful for us.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the public safety department at one of several numbers: 506-2849, 506-2861 or 506-2862. Department officials have investigators answering the calls around the clock, officials said.
Copyright 2008, The Austin American-Statesman