phill4paul
02-13-2014, 11:06 AM
http://www.pnj.com/article/20140211/NEWS01/302110009/Reprimands-issued-but-no-charges-filed-in-dog-shooting-incident?nclick_check=1
The Escambia County deputies who shot two dogs after entering a Warrington home without a search warrant will not face criminal charges, the State Attorney’s Office said Monday.
The State Attorney’s Office review stems from an incident on the night of Aug. 4, when Deputies Mikel Lee and Romain Brissett climbed through an open window at a residence on Flynn Drive searching for a suspect in an armed disturbance.
Once inside, Lee shot the two dogs of residents Cristina Moses and Travis Nicholas because one of the animals reportedly attempted to bite him. One of the dogs, a pit bull named Gracie, had to be euthanized, and Rocky, a 3-year-old mastiff, recovered from gunshot wounds.
Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Monday that criminal charges will not be filed against the deputies because their actions were not premeditated.
The News Journal obtained written reprimands sent to Lee and Brissett dated Aug. 4, 2013.
The letters of reprimand said that they had no probable cause or exigent circumstance to justify them entering the home. They also stated that Lee and Brissett’s “lack of knowledge of the Florida Legal Guidelines caused harm to another person’s property (the home owner’s dogs) and exposed yourself and the agency to civil liability.”
The deputies also were faulted for not calling a supervisor before entering the home.
Law enforcement officers can lawfully enter a home without a search warrant if the escape of a suspect, the destruction of evidence or the injury of a person is imminent, according to Florida legal guidelines.
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sena Maddison said no official sanctions have been placed on Lee and Brissett at this time.
“Right now, it’s still an ongoing investigation,” she said.
The Escambia County deputies who shot two dogs after entering a Warrington home without a search warrant will not face criminal charges, the State Attorney’s Office said Monday.
The State Attorney’s Office review stems from an incident on the night of Aug. 4, when Deputies Mikel Lee and Romain Brissett climbed through an open window at a residence on Flynn Drive searching for a suspect in an armed disturbance.
Once inside, Lee shot the two dogs of residents Cristina Moses and Travis Nicholas because one of the animals reportedly attempted to bite him. One of the dogs, a pit bull named Gracie, had to be euthanized, and Rocky, a 3-year-old mastiff, recovered from gunshot wounds.
Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Monday that criminal charges will not be filed against the deputies because their actions were not premeditated.
The News Journal obtained written reprimands sent to Lee and Brissett dated Aug. 4, 2013.
The letters of reprimand said that they had no probable cause or exigent circumstance to justify them entering the home. They also stated that Lee and Brissett’s “lack of knowledge of the Florida Legal Guidelines caused harm to another person’s property (the home owner’s dogs) and exposed yourself and the agency to civil liability.”
The deputies also were faulted for not calling a supervisor before entering the home.
Law enforcement officers can lawfully enter a home without a search warrant if the escape of a suspect, the destruction of evidence or the injury of a person is imminent, according to Florida legal guidelines.
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sena Maddison said no official sanctions have been placed on Lee and Brissett at this time.
“Right now, it’s still an ongoing investigation,” she said.