Packers’ Josh Jacobs files suit to permanently seal battery case video

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has filed a civil lawsuit seeking to permanently seal evidence from his battery case, including surveillance video from a garage camera system at his home.

The suit, filed on Wednesday in Brown County Circuit Court against the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department, asks for a permanent injunction and protective order restricting public access to records.

Jacobs joins his former girlfriend, identified in filings as ANM, in arguing that the release would threaten her privacy, dignity, safety, emotional well-being, and ability to obtain closure. His complaint notes that redactions of names or faces would be insufficient, as advanced artificial intelligence could potentially identify her from body shape or other details in the video.

The case stems from a May 23 altercation at Jacobs’ residence. According to the criminal complaint, he grabbed her and threw her to the ground as she tried to exit the garage, causing her to strike her head. Police said he also took and damaged her phone while she was on the floor.

Surveillance footage from the garage corroborated portions of her account. Jacobs was arrested May 26 and later charged in August with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property after initial potential felony counts were reduced.

On September 10, he pleaded no contest. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus costs on the battery charge, with the property damage count deferred for 12 months and subject to dismissal if he meets conditions including no contact with the victim, counseling, supervision, and restitution.

A judge later lifted a temporary seal and left release decisions to police, which had approved limited records with redactions before the new filings halted the process.

Jacobs also contends that releasing the video would reveal details of his garage’s layout, entrances, and security arrangements, increasing risks of burglary or robbery for a public figure whose schedule is widely known.

The NFL, which placed him on the commissioner’s exempt list on August 30 pending its personal conduct review, has sought the video as part of its investigation. He remains unable to practice or play while receiving pay, with no timetable for a resolution. Time on the list can count toward any eventual suspension.