Why won't OPD release video showing how they killed another black man?

How long can Orlando police delay releasing body cam video showing the fatal shooting of a black man earlier this year?

Orlando police shot and killed 22-year-old Kevin Adolphe Feb. 18^th at an apartment complex on Kirkman Road.

Seven months later Mr. Adolphe’s family and the lawyers representing them are still waiting to see body cam video and other investigative files involved in the case. The officers who opened fire were identified by OPD as Ben Chisari and Jeffrey Madison. MappingPoliceViolence.org ranks Metro Orlando as having one of the worst records for police brutality.

At the time of the shooting, Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon said Mr. Adolphe was driving a stolen car that cops tried to stop. He said Mr. Adolphe sped away from officers to the Summerfield apartment complex where he jumped out and fled on foot. During that foot chase at least 2 cops fired mortally wounding Mr. Adolphe.

Orlando Police Chief Rolon said Mr. Adolphe threatened the cops with a pistol. The chief also said that Mr. Adolphe attempted to burglarize a residence earlier.

Maybe Chief Rolon’s account is accurate. Maybe it isn’t.

Releasing the body cam video could answer many questions.

Why hasn’t OPD done so?

In a commentary published this summer in the Orlando Sentinel after the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis, Orlando Chief Rolon wrote that OPD was dedicated to “build community trust through transparency.”

Chief Rolon wrote that commentary while OPD was stonewalling on Mr. Adolphe’s video.

Where is the transparency in Mr. Adolphe’s case?

Many people have good reasons not to trust police. On Tuesday, for example it was revealed that police and other officials in Rochester, N.Y. -- right up to the mayor’s office -- schemed and stonewalled for months to keep the public from learning how police brutality led to the March death of Daniel Prude, a black man who suffered a mental health crisis.

On June 11, -- 4 months after Mr. Adolphe’s death -- the Orlando law firm Haynes & Laurent sent OPD a formal letter requesting body cam video and other records associated with the case.

In that letter, attorney Carlus Haynes wrote: “We have conducted preliminary investigation and have discovered that independent witnesses saw Mr. Adolphe running away before he was shot. More importantly, the witnesses also saw that Mr. Adolphe was subsequently shot while on the ground. We are not jumping to any conclusions, and neither is the family, but the family needs answers in order to move past this horrific event.”

David Margolis, chief assistant city attorney for Orlando responded: “As with most of our officer involved shootings, this event is being investigated externally and independently by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE indicated that they recently submitted their reports and findings to the State Attorney’s Office.”

Three months have passed since the city responded to Mr. Haynes’ request and the video and reports still have not be released.

There is no reason the video could not have been released months ago.

Salaythis Melvin, another 22-year-old black man was shot in the back and killed by Orange County deputies on Aug. 7^th. Some videos of that tragedy were released by OCSO 11 days later.

If the sheriff’s office can release critical videos quickly, why can’t OPD?

As of Sept. 15, Mr. Adolphe’s family and lawyers are still waiting to see video of the OPD shooting that occurred 7 months ago.

 

 

 

Orange County Sheriff insists that deputy didn't call anyone a "nigger"

  The Orange County Sheriff’s Office really must think black people are stupid.

Thursday night the Sheriff’s Office published a statement telling the public that their ears were playing tricks and they did not really hear a racist comment uttered by a plainclothes deputy involved in shooting Salaythis Melvin in the back outside Florida Mall on Aug. 7.

The racist comment was heard while deputies were administering first aid to Mr. Melvin, 22, who was mortally wounded by a jump-out team that was serving an arrest warrant on one of Mr. Melvin’s companions.

Mr. Melvin was black. Based on what can be seen on the body cam videos, all the deputies on the jump-out team were white males.

Hundreds of people who listened to audio on a body cam video released earlier this week agreed one of the deputies uttered: “You’re a bold nigger.”

In the written statement released Thursday night through Twitter, the sheriff’s office said after extensive audio analysis, they concluded that the deputy said: “Is there a blow thing, or no.” The statement said the deputy was referring to a face shield used for CPR.

What do you think? Does “Is there a blow thing or no” sound remotely like “You’re a bold nigger”?

You can review the body cam video by clicking here.

This explanation is almost as far-fetched as one given by law enforcement officials after a team of Orange County jump-out deputies shot James Bauduy to death 2 years ago in front of a crowd of bystanders on South Street in Parramore.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who was Orange County sheriff at that time, said deputies fired because Mr. Bauduy made a “furtive” hand movement that caused them to think he was about to pull a gun.

The sheriff’s office refused to say whether a gun was found at the scene. (For more on that case, click here)

After weeks of stalling the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced that Mr. Bauduy did not have a gun, but that he was holding a 9 mm handgun magazine in his hand. A handgun magazine, sometimes referred to as a clip, holds bullets for a pistol, but it can’t fire bullets.

Why someone being chased by deputies would pull a useless magazine is as difficult to understand as how anyone would mistake “You’re a bold nigger” for “Is there a blow thing, or no.”

 

 

Deputies broke many agency rules during Florida Mall racist fatal shooting

The Orange County deputies who shot a fleeing man in his back killing him can be fired because they violated several agency policies involving racist and abusive language and use-of-force tactics that needlessly endangered the public.

The sheriff’s office said it’s still investigating the incident, but recently released body cam video showing the deputies were racist, cruel and reckless. Click here to see that unedited video.

During the incident Aug. 7 at Florida Mall, which resulted in the death of Salaythis Melvin, 22, a recently released body cam video revealed that one of the deputies referred to the black victim as a “bold nigger.”

Based on what can be seen on the video all the deputies were white. No one admonished the cop who made the racist comment.

Immediately after Mr. Melvin was shot by plainclothes deputies in the shopping mall parking lot, one of the deputies is seen on camera shouting: “Keep your fucking hands out!”

“Get your hand out! You’re going to get fucking shot!” Mr. Melvin was on the ground writhing in pain from a gunshot wound in the back.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office general order for bias-free policing states: “It is the policy of the agency that people having contact with agency personnel shall be treated on a fair, impartial, bias-free, and objective manner in accordance with law and the guidelines set out in this general order. Law enforcement action that is biased is illegal and violates the equal protection clause and the 4^th Amendment of the Constitution. It also alienates the public, fosters distrust, and undermines legitimate law enforcement.”

Rule 8 in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office General Order for standards of conduct states: “Personnel shall be courteous and respectful to their superiors, fellow personnel and members of the public.”

Rule 15 under standards of conduct states: “In the performance of their duties, all personnel shall maintain command of temper, patience and discretion. Employees shall refrain from using improper, obscene, profane on insolent language.”

There are also major questions about the justification for the shooting, which resulted in Mr. Melvin’s death. The deputies converged on the parking lot to arrest a man Mr. Melvin was with – not Mr. Melvin. Yet at least one deputy fired and hit Mr. Melvin in the back.

The sheriff’s office use of force policy states: “Members of the agency are not authorized to: use a firearm to arrest or prevent the flight of a person who has committed a misdemeanor or traffic violation.”

At the time of the shooting Mr. Melvin was not wanted for anything. He apparently ran because he was scared.

Even after deputies shot Mr. Melvin they didn’t know who he was. One deputy was heard on the video asking: “What’s your name dude?” At this point Mr. Melvin’s eyes were open, but he was unresponsive, near death.

If deputies didn’t know who Mr. Melvin was, why did they open fire in the parking lot while there were members of the public walking to and from their cars?

Rule 4 in the sheriff’s office use of force policy states: “When determining what level of force to use, deputies shall consider the risk to the public, including but not limited to, whether the deputy’s use of force creates a substantial risk to the safety of the public, exceeding the danger to deputies or the public by allowing the suspect to remain at large.”

Note: Mr. Melvin was not a suspect. The man deputies were seeking to arrest had already been taken into custody.

It is noteworthy that Rule 3 in the sheriff’s office standards of conduct states: “Violation of policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action to include, but not be limited to verbal reprimand, written reprimand, suspension from duty without pay, disciplinary probation, demotion or termination.”

Click here to see the rules at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

 

 

  

Orange deputy calls dying man "a bold nigger"

 Newly released bodycam videos reveal that moments after being fatally shot by an Orange County deputy one of the cops refers to the dying man as a “bold nigger.”

The deputy who uttered the racist expression was part of a team that was serving a warrant on a man that was part of a group leaving the Florida Mall on Aug. 7.

The man who was fatally shot was not the target of the warrant.

Apparently frightened by the jump-out team of deputies Salaythis Melvin, 22, fled when a deputy opened fire and shot him in the back.

Following Sheriff’s Office protocols, the plainclothes deputies at the scene started administering first aid to Mr. Melvin, who was moaning and unconscious. That’s when one of the deputies uttered: “You’re a bold nigger man.” Click here to see and hear the racist clip.

Mr. Melvin later died at the hospital.

Mr. Melvin wasn’t wanted for anything, though deputies later claimed that he was armed. No firearm was evident when deputies rolled him over to offer first aid. One of the deputies who was administering first aid admitted Mr. Melvin had been shot in the back.

Police are only supposed to fire when confronted with deadly force. A man running away from cops in a parking lot doesn’t pose a threat to deputies.

The video was released on Tuesday Election Day, too late to impact the re-election of Sheriff John Mina.

Ocoee's racist mayor is up to his old tricks

The racist mayor of Ocoee is up to his old tricks – insulting black people and trying to ruin the 100^th anniversary memorial of the most infamous racial atrocity in Orange County history.

During the last Ocoee City Commission meeting (July 21) Mayor Rusty Johnson insulted State Sen. Randolph Bracy and called him a liar. Bracy is black and his senate district includes the west Orange County city of Ocoee. (To see that exchange, click here.)

More fireworks on this topic are expected at the next City Commission meeting this coming Tuesday (Aug. 4^th), starting at 6 p.m.

Bracy attended the July 21 meeting to discuss plans to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Ocoee Massacre when racist whites attacked black residents and killed them or drove them out of town. Whites were jealous that some black residents were becoming prosperous.

During the 1920 rampage several hundred black Ocoee residents were murdered; their homes were burned, property was stolen, black survivors were chased out of the town. July Perry, a prominent black resident – a businessman and a landowner -- was lynched during that bloodbath.

Sen. Bracy attended the city commission meeting to ask city leaders to consult and collaborate with members of July Perry’s family and the July Perry Foundation while planning the anniversary commemoration.

During Bracy’s comments, Mayor Johnson -- who has a history of insulting racist comments -- demanded to know if Bracy lived in Ocoee. Bracy insisted he did, but Johnson accused Bracy of lying. Speakers at city meetings are not required to give the street address of their home.

For more than a year, Mayor Johnson and a city human-relations committee appointed by Johnson, have hijacked plans for the massacre commemoration.

The mayor’s committee has not consulted or collaborated with descendants of the massacre victims. The city’s committee wants to trivialize this solemn commemoration.

Bill Maxwell, a black man who heads that committee, publicly said he didn’t know how to contact descendants even though they were sitting in the same meeting. Maxwell is an ally of Mayor Johnson.

Even though 2 black men have been elected to the Ocoee City Commission, Mayor Johnson has a history of making rude and racist comments to black people during commission meetings.

The 100th anniversary of the massacre is fewer than 3 months from now, but the city has not selected a date for the commemoration, nor has it established a budget for the event. Meanwhile the city blocked a local community group from getting access to city facilities to hold the commemoration.

Meet Orlando's worst cops

Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala just released a list of local bad cops who can’t be trusted.

Commonly called a Brady List, these officers have been identified as untrustworthy by prosecutors because of internal investigations and other matters. These lists must be provided to defendants and their attorneys.

You should check this list in case you’ve had negative encounters with these cops because it may give you grounds to get charges dropped or clear your name.

The List:

Orlando Police Department

·        Samuel B. Cunningham – Terminated

·        Laurin Gantt – Terminated

·        Roderick D. Johnson -Retired

·        Andrew S. Peczinka – Terminated

·        Frederick Rolle, Jr. – Terminated

·        Frank Sikos – Retired

·        Jonathan Mills – Not actively patrolling. Medical Retirement Request

·        Gabriel Pagan – Not actively patrolling. Relieved of Duty

In a statement, OPD wrote that the following officers “completed lengthy discipline processes.  Some of these officers did go through the arbitration process to refute the discipline imposed by the Orlando Police Department, and as a result of that process, the arbitrator ruled against the Department and reduced discipline or reversed terminations.” 

·        William Escobar

·        Michael Favorit

·        Robert Schellhorn

·        Phillip Chase Fugate

“The officers on the Brady List who remain employed at OPD are in good standing and maintain their law enforcement officer certification from the State of Florida.  Those officers, along with the current 778 members of this agency, will be expected to continue performing their duties in keeping with the Department’s high standards,” OPD wrote in the statement.

Orange County Sheriff’s Office

·        David W. Burdick

·        Jackson E. Etienne

·        Carly L. Friedman

(previously Carly

Hubbard)

·        Tonjali Y. Frost-Daniley

·        Joseph S. Haddad

·        Kevin M. Hutchinson

·        Travis D. Mackey

·        Tramaine L. McCray

·        Wadih Ojeil

·        Alexis O’Keefe

·        Marco Palacio

·        Marc A. Petruccelli

·        Harry Reid

Winter Park Police Department

·        Franklin “Frank” Cowart

·        Marco D. Marcovigi

Ocoee Police Department

·        Carlos A. Anglero

Florida Highway Patrol

·        Hunter Miles Monn

Orange County Corrections

·        Der’Renae Freeman

·        William Rodriguez Rivera

Kissimmee Police Department

·        Anthony Amada

·        Gerardo Bellido

·        Felix Echevarria

·        Antonio L. Johnson

·        Benjamin V. Shroyer

St Cloud Police Department

·        Albert V. Kraus Jr.

·        Timothy R. Warren

Children marching this Saturday (7/18) to show Black Lives Matter

The Black Lives Matter movement is calling all children and teens for a special rally at Orlando City Hall this coming Saturday, July 18^th.

“You know how that song goes ‘the children are our future’. They really are,” said Lawanna Gelzer, a leader of The Movement Coalition, which is organizing the event.

Birmingham children march

“Just last week,” Gelzer said, “I participated in a march organized by Cypress Creek High School students and I was so impressed to hear them express their concerns for justice and fairness for all people – especially black lives. They are a lot better informed than what adults give them credit for. These young people don’t like what they see and they’re demanding change. We’re giving them a platform to speak and be heard.”

Orlando’s Children’s March for Justice on Saturday was inspired by the Birmingham Children’s Crusade in 1963 when black students left their schools and flooded the streets where many were attacked by police and jailed. Their efforts publicly shamed local leaders and resulted in the desegregation of public facilities in that Alabama city.

“Saturday’s event is planned to be family-friendly and safe,” said Gelzer who got city permits for the event. She added that during recent civil rights marches local police have cooperated controlling traffic and providing security for marchers.

The event will spotlight speeches by teen activists. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children. The event is open to children of all races and ages.

Protests calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism have been ongoing for more than a month in Orlando and around the world since George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer.

Everyone participating in Saturday’s event is asked to wear a mask. Keeping with the theme of the event, participants are asked to dress in black.

Organizers are also asking participants to bring canned goods and other non-perishable food that can be distributed to help feed families that are struggling during the ongoing pandemic.

Event organizers will provide refreshments to keep participants hydrated during the event that will begin (rain or shine) at 10 a.m. in the plaza in front of Orlando City Hall, 400 S. Orange Ave.

The Movement Coalition includes: The Coalition of 100 Black Women of Central Florida, National Action Network Central Florida Chapter, Let Your Voice Be Heard, Peaceful Orlando, The Arc of Justice, Orlando Freedom Fighters, Equity Council, Orlando Youth in Action Movement and Mask Up by Lawanna.