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Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood Says "Marsy’s Law" Should Not Apply To Law Enforcement |
February 21, 2022 |
but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples" ~ Mother Teresa
THIS ARTICLE IS BEING OFFERED AS A JOURNALISTIC EDITORIAL,
NO LEGAL OPINION, OR AUTHORITY, SHOULD BE INFERRED
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Maralee Nicholas On November 30, 1983 Maralee (Marsy) Nicholas, a 21 year old Califorina college student had her young life cut short - when her former boyfriend, Kerry Michael Conley shot and killed her. Shortly after his arrest - Conley was allowed bail pending his trial. |
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A week after the killing of Nicholas - Conley accosted Nicholas' mother at a local grocery store. The Nicholas family was unaware that Conley had been granted pre-trial bail.
In 1985 Conley was convicted of second-degree murder. The jury ruled that Conley intended to kill Nicholas, but that the murder was not premeditated. (One is left to wonder how someone can "intend" to kill someone - but that intention is NOT premediation. And then there is the whole - giving an alleged murderer a pre-trial bond thingy. But that's California - where Charles Manson routinely came up for parole consideration.) LA Times April 18, 1985 Point Dume Man Found Guilty of Murdering His Former Girlfriend Conley died in prison in 2007 (natural causes). The Nicholas family lead a nationwide campaign to pass laws that would provide crime victims certain rights and protections. Several states (including Florida) have since passed such laws - titling them "Marsy's law" in remembrance of Marsy (Nicholas). In Florida - certain policing agencies, and law enforcement officers are using "Marsy's Law" to shield their names from public record release. These officers usually have been involved in some type of use of force incident - whereas they declare themselves as "victims" - and immediately seek refuge behind Marsy's skirt (law). USA Today October 29, 2020 Marsy’s Law was meant to protect crime victims. It now hides the identities of cops who use force The Florida Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case involving two Tallahassee police officers who invoked the law to prevent the release of their identities following separate use-of-force shooting incidents in which they were threatened. Several Florida media outlets - and their supporters have argued that allowing Marsy’s Law to apply to law enforcement officers would sidestep the state’s open-records laws. Will Submit Legal Arguments In Support Of Police Transparency Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has joined Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri in securing (via a court motion - see below right) the Florida Supreme Court's permission to file Amicus Curiae ("friend of the Court") legal briefs to the Court arguing that Marsy's law should NOT apply to law enforcement officers (see below related media article). ClTampa.Com February 15, 2022 Two Florida Sheriffs now say 'Marsy's Law" should not apply to law enforcement officers |
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Within his "Motion For Leave Of The Court" (see right of page) - Sheriff Chitwood states that he will argue within his pending Amicus Curiae brief that the :
"VSO is interested in this appeal as it believes that the citizens should know the names of deputies who are involved in the use of deadly force while carrying out their official duties. This disclosure of the deputies' names not only promotes transparency and accountability but helps to rebuild the eroding public trust in law enforcement." This publication is in agreement with Sheriff Chitwood - law enforcement officers should not be able to hide behind Marsy Nicholas' skirt. ClickOrlando.Com January 6, 2021 Volusia sheriff hopes riots at Capitol don’t spread across country The Florida Supreme Court has not yet scheduled a hearing date. Soooo.... stand by to stand by... there will surely be more to come of this.... We look forward to your comments on this situation. Drop us a line to let us know what you think.  EMAIL US  |
