The body camera footage of a recent incident involving "The View" co-host Sunny Hostin's son has sparked controversy after the TV host invoked her background as a former federal prosecutor in an attempt to persuade police officers to let him off with a warning.
According to the footage, Gabriel Hostin, a 23-year-old Harvard graduate, was stopped by Metropolitan Transportation Authority police for trespassing on Metro-North railroad property near the New Rochelle station.
Hostin, who is one of the co-hosts of the popular daytime talk show, repeatedly reminded officers of her son's education and lack of a criminal record in an attempt to persuade them to exercise discretion.
"My name is Sunny Hostin and I'm one of the co-hosts of 'The View' and I'm a former federal prosecutor," Hostin tells an officer over the phone in the footage.
After arriving at the scene, Hostin continued to make her case, saying, "That's my son. He's a Harvard graduate. He doesn't have a criminal record. He's not a kid who's ever in trouble. It's an innocent mistake."
Police alleged that Gabriel Hostin was trespassing in an area marked with "NO TRESPASSING" signs, and he was issued a summons for trespass and released after a background check showed no criminal history.
The bodycam video has sparked reaction online, with several conservative accounts criticizing Hostin for invoking her legal background during the encounter.
Some have also pointed out the contrast between Hostin's past remarks about equal treatment under the law and her comments to officers that her son's education and background should be taken into account.
Gabriel Hostin is scheduled to appear in New Rochelle City Court on July 31 to face the trespassing charge.
The incident has raised questions about the use of discretion in law enforcement and the role of personal connections and background in shaping the outcome of encounters with the police.
