http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/ ... ws-florida Coverup alleged in Bay County boot-camp death
Associated Press
March 20, 2006, 3:15 PM EST
TALLAHASSEE -- Bay County authorities are covering up their role in the death of a boy who was punched and kicked by guards at a boot camp, and his relatives want any trial in the case moved to another area to ensure a fair proceeding, the family's attorney said Monday.
Bay County sheriff's spokeswoman Ruth Sasser declined to comment on the cover-up allegations, but said seven drill instructors involved in the altercation and a nurse who witnessed it will be among about 20 people who lose their jobs when the camp closes next month. The closure plans had already been announced.
Ben Crump, the attorney for Martin Lee Anderson's parents, said they were ``outraged'' because medical examiner Dr. Charles Siebert last week defended his findings that the 14-year-old died from complications of sickle cell trait, a usually harmless blood disorder.
``How could he deny that the beating of Martin did not play some role in his death,'' Crump told reporters. ``How can you say it didn't play a role? It's almost less than intelligent. It's an insult to the family.''
Investigators re-examining the death with a second autopsy said last week that Anderson didn't die of natural causes. Anderson died Jan. 6 after the confrontation at the boot camp in Panama City run by Bay County sheriff's officials. He had been struck, kicked and dragged to the ground by several guards during a half-hour ordeal that was recorded on videotape.
No one has been charged with a crime, but the family has threatened to sue.
``Martin's parents have said it was a cover-up from day one,'' Crump said. ``The law enforcement officials are doing everything they can to make sure nobody is held accountable for the death of their son.''
County spokeswoman Catherine Zehner said the sheriff's department has third-party liability insurance, so she doesn't ``think the county commission will get embroiled in a lawsuit.''
Gov. Jeb Bush has appointed Hillsborough County State Attorney Mark Ober to investigate and he observed the second autopsy done in Tampa. The U.S. Attorney's office in Tallahassee and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division also have opened an investigation into Anderson's death.
``No peace until justice,'' said Anderson's mother, Gina Jones.
Copyright © 2006, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
If you want a voluntary urine sample from me it'll have to be a taste test.
--Bumper Sticker
