Quid pro Quo is much in the news these days. Even in our own County where our own Dade County State Attorneys Office, in response to the revelation that one of their long-time DUI witnesses is a racist (or opined that an African-American defendant looked like a monkey), increased the charges against the Police Sergeant who was arrested to Felony Child Abuse.
Two alert readers have alerted us to the unfortunate unfolding of events that would make a certain resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC proud:
Anonymous said...
For making the monkey comment public, the SAO did the right thing. They immediately upped the charge to felony child abuse simply because two kids were in the car. Both were properly strapped in with seat belts. If that isn't vindictive, what is? Turns out two cops testified under oath that they were there and the police sergeant was not even slightly impaired. They even said there was no PC for the arrest. The video shows a very sober arrestee. For that, Kathy Rundle upped the charges even though the DUI statute is rather specific that kids in the car is a first degree misdemeanor and the generic child abuse statute is a felony. Nice work SAO!
Anonymous said...
Why is the SAO filing a child neglect/no great harm felony charge against Sgt. Moore after the racial slur incident came up in the news, specially when the DUI statute in s. 316.193(4) has a sentencing enhancement for DUI with minors in the vehicle:
"Any person who is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) and who has a blood-alcohol level or breath-alcohol level of 0.15 or higher, or any person who is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) and who at the time of the offense was accompanied in the vehicle by a person under the age of 18 years, shall be punished:
(a) By a fine of:
1. Not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000 for a first conviction.
2. Not less than $2,000 or more than $4,000 for a second conviction.
3. Not less than $4,000 for a third or subsequent conviction.
(b) By imprisonment for:
1. Not more than 9 months for a first conviction.
2. Not more than 12 months for a second conviction."
By filing an unnecessary felony charge for conduct directly addressed by the DUI statute, the SAO is making itself and KFR look petty, vindictive and defensive of their racist witness. Any of the many SAO chiefs care to comment?
Revenge is a dish best served 😰.