ARKANSAS—Authorities in Arkansas believe data reported on Amazon’s personal assistant device “Echo” may help them in solving a murder investigation.
James Bates, 31, was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Victor Collins in November 2015. The body of Collins was found in Bates’ hot tub by police. A medical examiner ruled that a fight likely occurred between Bates and Collins. Collins’ body had cuts and bruises and it is believed his death was the result of strangulation and drowning.
Investigators found the Amazon Echo device in Bates’ kitchen and requested a warrant to search all recordings and data on the device. In the warrant, investigators state that the data from the device is evidence because the device’s microphones could have recorded what transpired the night of the Collins’ murder.
Amazon has released Bates’ account information, but the company has refused to release any of Echo’s logged information from their servers.
“Amazon will not release customer information without a valid and binding legal demand properly served on us. Amazon objects to overbroad or otherwise inappropriate demands as a matter of course,” the company indicated in a statement.
Benton County Prosecutor, Nathan Smith believes Amazon should comply with the authorities request.
“They’ll say it’s for privacy reasons, but I don’t believe they have a legal leg to stand on,” said Smith. “I don’t think they’re a bad company or anything, but I don’t think they want to release it because they want to sell more of them.”
Bates’ attorney is concerned for his client indicating there is nothing useful on the device and applauds Amazon for protecting his client’s privacy.
A trial date has not been set yet. The enton Police Department has declined to comment as the case is still under investigation.
