Gov. Crist Rejects Request for Investigation of Fugitive Drowning
GOVERNOR CRIST REJECTS REQUEST FOR FUGITIVE DEATH INVESTIGATION
Says Hernando Sheriff Department’s
Actions Were Appropriate; Will Take
No Further Action…At This Time
Activist Advised That U.S. Justice
Dept.’s Response Still in Pipeline;
Citizen Review Bd Plans in the Making
Tallahassee, FLORIDA: Tuesday, March 16, 2010: J. Andrew Atkinson, Assistant General Counsel in the Office of the Governor of Florida, wrote a letter (attached) on March 10, 2010, on behalf of Florida Governor Charlie Crist, in response to community activist Brian P. Moore’s complaint regarding the questionable drowning death of fugitive James Rayford, in Hunter Lake, on September 12, 2009.
Mr. Atkinson stated that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) looked into the matter and concluded that “the evidence does not indicate that Mr. Rayford’s death was caused by any inappropriate actions taken by the law enforcement officers involved in the matter.” The legal counsel to the Governor further wrote that “Governor Crist will take no further action in this case at this time.”
Upon receiving the letter from the Governor’s office, activist Moore telephoned the United States Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, involving Criminal Activity, under United States Attorney General Eric Holder, to check on the status of his additional complaint with the federal government. Elizabeth Brown, legal counsel in the Criminal section of the Civil Rights Division of the US Justice Department, and responsible for Florida matters, informed Moore that his letters to Mr. Holder, in December, 2009, and February 2010, are ”still in the pipeline, but should be addressed shortly.”
Ms. Brown indicated their office procedure will review Moore’s complaint to determine if their office needs more information and whether they decide to investigate or not. They have the option of referring the matter to the FBI, calling for a Grand Jury investigation themselves, or can even pursue criminal felony charges against law enforcement officials who have violated citizens’ rights and/or abused their law enforcement authority.
Ms. Brown indicated that in some cases, they have entered into plea agreements with law officials who have violated the law, taken people to trial and even rested final responsibility with Police Chiefs or the Sheriffs of county agencies. She said each case is different, and has to be analyzed accordingly.
Moore told Brown that he will send copies of his previous letters to Mr. Holder, directly to her offices in Washington, DC, in order to expedite the process.
Moore hopes to form a memorial fund or scholarship in memory of James Rayford and to establish a countywide citizens review board, to act as a watchdog group, and as an intermediary between the sheriff’s office and citizens, who feel they are mistreated or wronged by law enforcement authorities.
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