Rachel Hoffmans death about to come home to roost

Story from the Tallahassee Democrat, comments from who do ya think:

The family of Rachel Hoffman will file a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city today for the Tallahassee Police Department's role in her death, according to the family's attorney. The 23-year-old Florida State University graduate was killed in May while working as a confidential informant when a department-led drug bust went bad.

The lawsuit will not specify how much money Hoffman's parents are seeking in the civil lawsuit, but their attorney, Lance Block, said it will be in the multi-millions.

"It's a huge case," Block said.

(comment: We have to agree with Mr. Block . Though not because of the amount of money that the Tallahassee Taxpayers may end up paying out, though in these economic times the citizens of Tallahassee will be further punished for the actions of a police department tarnished by the top brass.
No amount of money can replace a child, but sadly in this day and time it is the only way to catch the attention of those who would abuse their positions of power in offices that are designed to serve the citizens and protect their rights.

What is even more disheartening is the lack of uproar coming from the  communities citizens.  Many of whom are, to this day, only vaguely  familiar with the case and pass it off as the police doing their job.  Despite excellent reporting on this particular issue by the Tallahassee Democrat (we only wish they would cover other stories as well).


All to many have only to hear the words drug dealer and police to make the assumption that the police must have been doing their job. When they should have been doing everything in their power to insure that the Tallahassee Police Department assumed responsibility instead of trying to duck it with head in sand, or up ass.


Chief Jones is still Chief of Police. And for that the citizens of Tallahassee will pay a huge price.)

Any award more than $200,000 would have to be approved through a claims bill by the state Legislature. A place-holder bill has already been filed by state Sen. Al Lawson.

The city had hoped to reach a settlement with the Hoffman family through mediation before they filed their lawsuit. Filing now doesn't close the door on that, Block said; mediation is a required step in the civil-court process.

Two men, Andrea Green, 26, of Perry, and Deneilo Bradshaw, 23, of Tallahassee, are in the Leon County Jail awaiting trial on charges of killing Hoffman.

But the Police Department has also been condemned for its handling of the operation, which involved sending Hoffman out alone with $13,000 to buy drugs and a handgun from the suspected dealers and then losing her.

A Leon County grand jury said in a scathing report earlier this year that police were negligent in her death.


Reviews by both the state Attorney General's Office and the department's Internal Affairs Division found officers violated TPD's own policies and procedures. Hoffman's main contact, Investigator Ryan Pender, was fired for his role and four supervisors were suspended for two weeks without pay. Pender is fighting his termination.

(comment: Pender should fight his termination. Why should he be fired and the brass keep their jobs. Penders termination wil be justified when the rest of the brass go with him.)Add to Technorati Favorites

Florida Speaker of the house accused of steering money for his own benefit

Pressure continues to mount on House Speaker Ray Sansom, who now faces an ethics complaint filed by a Clearwater man.
"Somebody's got to say something," David Plyer, a retired electrical engineer, said Monday. "Those elected officials all seem to be quiet, and they seem to be part of the same club."

Plyer alleges in his complaint that the powerful Destin Republican improperly steered $24.5 million in taxpayer dollars to Northwest Florida State College before accepting a $110,000 job as a school vice president. The complaint cites an ethics law that prohibits a public official from "corruptly" using his or her authority to, "secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption for himself, herself or others."

Neither Sansom nor his spokeswoman responded to a request for an interview. Sansom's office directed questions late Monday to Tallahassee attorney Richard Coates, who could not be reached after business hours. See whole story here.

And is that not business ass usual in the Florida legislature. Elect a representative and they get on with representing themselves. Kinda like Lopez-Cantera's  crowing about protecting the public with HB137 when what it was really about was some sport bikers that scared he and his wife.

It's the American way, violate the trust of the people who grant you power by using it to further your own ends.Add to Technorati Favorites

Mrytle Beach South Carolina still sucks and so does the judge

We know there is a SMRO in the area. We are not seeing much press re: their actions. Oh well.

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/bikers/


For a second time, a judge has declined to stop Myrtle Beach from enforcing some of the 15 ordinances the city passed to curb the effects of the May motorcycle rallies.

U.S. District Court Judge Terry Wooten issued a decision late Monday on a request for an injunction filed by event promoter Mike Shank and Harley-Davidson of Myrtle Beach to prevent the city from enforcing amendments and ordinances dealing with its special event and noise ordinances and the new helmet law, which takes effect Feb. 28. Last month, an Horry County circuit court judge also declined to issue an injunction against the city's helmet law requested by two Myrtle Beach residents and motorcycle enthusiasts, Carol and William O'Day.

Neither lawsuit has not been dismissed, however, and a second federal suit has not been heard yet.Add to Technorati Favorites
Shank said he's looking forward to having his case heard in court. Shank and his co-plaintiffs allege the city's ordinances are unconstitutional, will irreparably harm their businesses and chill free speech by restricting their ability to advertise the Harley-Davidson rally that draws more than a quarter-million people to the beach each spring. They also say the city has overreached by passing a helmet ordinance stricter than the state's law that says anyone 21 or older has the choice of wearing a helmet while riding.''I think the judge mentioned there are a lot of issues to be decided, and we look forward to getting those resolved," Shank said.


The city usually does not comment on legal matters, but city spokesman Mark Kruea said "we're pleased with the judge's ruling. We'll enforce the ordinances as planned."
For more on this story, read The Sun News tomorrow.