FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 16, 2010
CONTACT:
Susan Watson, (850) 429-9128; swatson@aclufl.org
Tallahassee, Fla. – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida and Movement for Change will host a town hall meeting to discuss the coroner’s inquest and its disproportionate use in Escambia County whenever someone dies at the hands of law enforcement.
The event is of particular relevance given the recent letter sent by the ACLU of Florida to State Attorney William Eddins urging him to withdraw his request for a coroner’s inquest into the death of Victor Steen, who was struck and killed by a Pensacola Police officer’s car on October 3, 2009. Together with the families of the victims, the ACLU and Movement for Change will discuss the practice of using coroner’s inquests as a political cover that wastes both time and money. In fact, the practice of using a coroner’s inquest is not a substitute for the State Attorney’s decision on whether to move forward with a criminal prosecution.
WHAT: Town Hall meeting on the Coroner’s Inquest
WHEN: Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Center For Social Justice
1603 N Davis St
Pensacola, Florida
WHO: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida
Movement for Change
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Susan Watson, (850) 429-9128; swatson@aclufl.org
About the ACLU of Florida
The ACLU of Florida is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our web site at: www.aclufl.org.
# # #
