Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

WillyT

(72,631 posts)
Sun Nov 3, 2013, 07:08 PM Nov 2013

Forget It Jake, It's Chinatown...

Florida sheriff acquitted after citing ‘Second Amendment’ to release armed drunk driver
By Scott Kaufman - RawStory
Sunday, November 3, 2013 10:30 EST

<snip>

A Florida sheriff accused of releasing and altering the records of a suspected drunk driver arrested on a concealed weapon charge was acquitted of official misconduct by a six-person jury.

Sheriff Nick Finch was accused of helping Floyd Parrish, who had been pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence and was subsequently arrested when it was discovered he was carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. Prosecutors allege that Parrish was booked and his mugshot taken, and that Sheriff Finch nullified the arrest and removed or destroyed evidence of it. Parrish’s name had been whited-out from the night’s arrest log, and tapes that would have captured the initial stages of his booking were, prosecutors claim, conveniently taped over.


In court, Finch claimed that the records he was accused of removing and destroying never existed, and the prosecution was never able to definitively prove otherwise. The case attracted national attention because Finch and his attorneys enlisted the aid of Second Amendment activists like the Oath Keepers and the John Birch Society. On the stand, state prosecutor John Campbell asked Finch, “Don’t you agree that the Second Amendment doesn’t give you the power to pick and choose which laws you’re going to enforce and which laws you’re going to not enforce?”

“The Second Amendment is very specific to keeping and bearing arms, Mr. Campbell,” Finch replied. “You’re talking about many laws. What I believe is the Second Amendment requires me to make a decision based on that Second Amendment as to whether I’m going to go forward with the state charges. Yes, I think the Constitution has to mean something at some point, Mr. Campbell.”

Finch was quickly returned to the elected office from which he’d been placed on leave after the arrest. “Sheriff Nick Finch will be reinstated immediately,” Governor Rick Scott said. “I would like to thank the members of the jury in Liberty County for their service in this trial. I would also like to thank Interim Sheriff Buddy Money for his service to the state of Florida.”

<snip>

Link: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/03/florida-sheriff-acquitted-after-citing-second-amendment-to-release-armed-drunk-driver/




4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Forget It Jake, It's Chinatown... (Original Post) WillyT Nov 2013 OP
it's ALWAYS florida.. bench scientist Nov 2013 #1
Must be the abundant sunshine CFLDem Nov 2013 #3
or you know, the abundance of guns.. bench scientist Nov 2013 #4
Or Texas. marble falls Nov 2013 #2
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Forget It Jake, It's Chin...