I disagree. I think it was the right move to release the tape. Those in the media advocating on behalf of Brown were attempting to poison the well of public perception by creating a false narrative. The video squashed that. As for the rioters, they are going to loot no matter what. This isn't about justice for them, its about stealing. They don't care what really happened. They aren't looking for a reason but an excuse.
Nonsense: those in the media advocating on behalf of Brown have continued and will continue to do so. They'll say "It was just a pack of cigarettes" or "By the Police's own admission, this played no role in the shooting." or "You don't know the whole story" or who knows what else. Absolutely nothing was gained by the release, especially when it was coupled with the other statements that that inept police chief made - that the Officer involved in the shooting didn't know about this.
Does the tape somehow make the shooting more reasonable? It doesn't.
Does the tape somehow make the Officer's actions more reasonable? It doesn't.
Does the tape somehow make the Ferguson Police's actions more reasonable? It doesn't.
Nothing was gained by this release at this moment in time and a lot was lost. The tape should have been released, no doubt. But at a later time, when the situation had been brought under control and tensions had subsided.