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IN OUR OPINION, THE BREVARD PUBLIC DEFENDER IS DUTY BOUND TO REQUEST THE JAIL SURVEILLANCE VIDEO The Gregory Edwards' Jail Surveillance Video |
June 12, 2020 |
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U.S. Combat Veteran On December 9, 2018 - U.S. combat veteran Gregory Edwards was arrested by the West Melbourne Police Department (WMPD) (Florida). Apparently, Mr. Edwards' arrest was connected to a PTSD episode at the local Wal-Mart. Video evidence from the WMPD officers clearly indicate that they (WMPD) safely delivered Mr. Edwards to the Brevard County jail, and into the custody of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office (BCSO). June 11, 2020 WMPD Receive Threats Against Officer This publication is not questioning the actions of the WMPD. In fact, as is explained within our earlier articles (see below), we found the WMPD to be both transparent, and informative regarding their handling of Mr. Edwards. RELATED MEDIA ARTICLES May 19, 2020 The Untimely Deaths Of Two Black Males September 25, 2019 A Recipe For Homicide August 12, 2019 Murdered By The BCSO However, this publication does question the motives and intentions of the BCSO, and by proxy, the Office of the State Attorney, in their handling of the Edwards matter. Jail Surveillance Video Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey refuses to release the jail surveillance video regarding a physical confrontation between several BCSO jail deputies and Mr. Edwards. RELATED MEDIA ARTICLE June 12, 2020 Defense Seeks Release Of Jail Video Involving Gregory Edwards And Corrections Deputies Sheriff Ivey is claiming a statutory exemption (F.S. 281.301 - see upper right of article), stating that releasing the video could jeopardize the security of the jail, and the safety of it's staff. However, given the fact that the BCSO (Sheriff Ivey) opted to "self-investigate" Edwards' in-custody death, instead of allowing an independent investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), this publication must question the validity of the BCSO's investigative findings (see our above linked articles for additional details). In our OPINION, BCSO's own investigative report, documents information that may indicate excessive force was applied against Mr. Edwards (knee spikes, numerous taser deployments, the heavy usuage of chemical agents, without apparent timely & proper medical treatment being given). Further, the BCSO has recently gone on the record, that they continue to use, the controversial vascular neck restraint, that came to national attention during the recent in-custody death of George Floyd (Minneapolis Police). RELATED MEDIA ARTICLE WFTV June 1, 2020 One Local Law Enforcement Agency (BCSO) Trains Deputies To Use ‘Vascular Neck Restraints |
 Gregory Lloyd Edwards  Click Here To Read PDF Version  
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Given, that at a press conference, Sheriff Ivey stated that Edwards' fought the deputies like a "caged animal", this publication is left to wonder, did these deputies revert to their training, and apply the vascular neck restraint on Edwards? Inquirying minds need to know, and the jail surveillance video most probably holds the answers to our questions - regarding Mr. Edwards' demise.
Request The Video
Brevard Public Defender, Mr. Blaise Trettis recently spoke out in support, that Sheriff Ivey should publicly release the Edwards jail surveillance video.
According to a June 11, 2020 letter from Mr. Todd Brown, the State Attorney's information officer, the public, and the media, should approach the Court, and request that the Court make a decision on whether the video should be publicly released.
Mr. Brown goes on to question, why the media has not explained, why they have not petitioned the Court for release of the video? That's a fair question, because Florida Statute 281.301 allows for such a court petition. However, the statute also allows .."another local, state, or federal agency in furtherance of that agency's official duties and responsibilities" to obtain a copy of the video.
So maybe the better question is - why hasn't Mr. Blaise Trettis, the Public Defender of Brevard County requested to see the video? Afterall, several of his clients reside within the Brevard County jail. Doesn't he (Trettis) have a constitutional duty to his clients to ensure that they are not being subjected to cruel and unusual treatment / punishment?
So, Mr. Trettis, this media organization puts it to you - that in our OPINION, you are duty bound to request the video for a review. Upon completion of your review, you can decide, in the furtherance of justice, whether the video should be publicly released by your office.
Gregory Lloyd Edwards' life mattered. It mattered to his spouse, Kathy (Holly) Edwards. It mattered to his young children, and his extended family. And, NOW, FINALLY, the circumstances surrounding his untimely death matters too, so stand by to stand by ....... there is surely more to come of this......
Drop us a line to let us know what you think.
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