The state Department of Juvenile Justice is conducting an “administrative review” of the death of Martin Lee Anderson at the Bay County boot camp.
The purpose is to determine whether seven drill instructors and a nurse — already acquitted of criminal charges — violated department policies.
Howard Greenfield, chief of investigations for DJJ, sent letters to the former boot camp employees last week informing them of the new inquiry.
“We have obtained and reviewed all records collected and interviews conducted during the criminal investigation,” he wrote, in part. “At this time, we want to afford you the opportunity to participate in a voluntary interview.”
That’s not going to happen, according to the attorney for drill instructor Charles Helms.
DJJ is trying to “satisfy the political prostitutes in Tallahassee who are pandering for votes, and we’re just not going to participate in it,” said attorney Waylon Graham. “They’ve had two years to investigate this. Enough is enough.”
Attorneys for the other seven could not be reached Wednesday, but Graham said he suspected they wouldn’t let DJJ question their clients, either.
Graham said he thinks DJJ is acting on a request from Attorney General Bill McCollum, who said recently he would ask state licensing authorities to take action against the boot camp employees.
DJJ Secretary Walt McNeil could not be reached Wednesday.
The drill instructors hold corrections officer certifications through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the nurse is licensed through the Department of Health. If DJJ concludes they broke the rules, that could be used as ammunition in license revocation hearings, Graham said.
Graham pointed to Ben Crump, the attorney who represents Anderson’s parents, Robert Anderson and Gina Jones, and McCollum for continuing to push the case.
“They need to learn to accept that verdict,” he said.
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