Sassoon, Alessandro

From: Sassoon, Alessandro

Sent: Friday, October 11, 2019 4:16 PM
To: Torres, John
Subject: FW: FLORIDA TODAY request for comment on EDWARDS case

From: Todd Brown <tabrown@sa18.org>

Sent: Tuesday, October 1, 2019 12:33 PM
To: Sassoon, Alessandro <ASassoon@floridatoday.com>
Subject: RE: FLORIDA TODAY request for comment on EDWARDS case

Mr. Allesandro Sassoon,

We appreciate the opportunity to comment on your upcoming story surrounding the death of Mr. Gregory
Edwards after his arrest in December of 2018.

The loss experienced by Mr. Edwards family and friends is certainly both deeply painful and ongoing. It has
also deeply affected the deputies and staff of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office who were involved in this
tragic incident.

The inquiry into the events and circumstances resulting in Mr. Edwards death was independently undertaken by
the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, The Brevard County Medical Examiner, and the Office of the State
Attorney. Each with a unique and specific role in the inquiry.

Our office was charged with determining if the use of force by Brevard County Corrections Deputies involving
Gregory EDWARDS, was reasonable and justifiable under Chapter 776, Florida Statutes. That finding was
issued on July 1, 2019 by State Attorney Phil Archer who determined that Mr. Edwards violent and
unpredictable behavior with West Melbourne officers, and again with Brevard deputies "completely justified
the escalation of use of force techniques to gain control."

With the complete investigative record having been made public, the criminal inquiry concluded, and our
findings announced, we believe a continued debate offers no greater insight.

Respectfully,

Todd Brown
Media & Communications

Office of the State Attorney

18th Judicial Circuit
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Building D
Viera, Fl. 32940
(321) 617-7310
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Follow us on:
Facebook/StateAttorneyPhilArcher
Twitter @SA18PIO

From: Sassoon, Alessandro <ASassoon@floridatoday.com>

Sent: Friday, September 27, 2019 1:12 PM
To: Todd Brown <tabrown@sa18.org>
Cc: Block, Bobby <bblock@floridatoday.com>; Bellaby, Mara <mbellaby@floridatoday.com>; Gallop, Jeff
<jgallop@floridatoday.com>
Subject: FLORIDA TODAY request for comment on EDWARDS case

Dear Todd Brown,

As I mentioned in our most recent phone call we are dotting i’s and crossing t’s on our reporting on the death in custody
of Gregory Lloyd Edwards.

We’re requesting state attorney Phil Archer’s help to explain some discrepancies and disconnects we have discovered in
our reporting into the details contained within the hundreds of pages and dozens of audio files released by your office.

Specifically, what we found:

1. A careful review of the events at the Brevard County Jail Complex in the case of Edwards indicate the violation of
over a dozen BCSO policies related to use force and the application of less than lethal force, including cuffs, OC
spray, a spit hood, CEW (taser) and restraint chair as well as BCSO guidelines on the escalation of force. These
include policy items that determine the way in which force is applied, the considerations that factor into that
decision and policy dictating the observation of a subject by medical and non-medical personnel. Specifically, we
refer to no less than 19 items of BCSO policy under: 500.76 sections A and E; 600.07I sections A, C; 600.07K
sections A, B, D; 500.08 section C.

We are trying to figure out if the BSCO’s policies and protocols were taken into consideration by the State Attorney’s
Office in the conclusion that use of force was reasonable and justifiable?

2. In our review of the audio files accompanying the July 1 release which include interviews with jail staff including
deputies and nurses and the 911 calls from the jail to EMS we note:
a. A 12-minute delay in transporting an unresponsive Edwards to the medical ward and removing him from his
restraints such that nurses can properly administer care

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 b. Resistance on behalf of BCSO deputies in removing Edwards from his restraints on the command of nurses
c. Significant confusion about who the 911 call is for on the part of the caller from the jail following the clear
and urgent instruction to initiate a 911 call from the jail’s charge nurse.
d. Deputies pressuring jail nurses to rush to complete their medical charts on Edwards following EMS transport
resulting in incomplete medical charts by at least one nurse.
e. A breakdown in the transfer of vital medical history and health information (such as PTSD-diagnosis, veteran
status, prescribed medication, Baker Act paperwork and that Edwards was not considered to be under the
influence of drugs when he was arrested) from deputies to nurses and then onto BCFR paramedics from the
moment Edwards arrives at the jail until he is eventually taken by EMS to Rockledge Regional.

Given these findings, can you explain the basis upon which Mr. Archer commended the actions of deputies and jail
personnel in attending to Edwards once it was apparent Edwards was in distress? Is there something that we might be
unaware of that he is referring to specifically? And considering these, taken together with the apparent policy
violations specifically related to the provision of medical attention and observation following the application of force,
can you help us understand on what basis Mr. Archer’s commendation is predicated?

We fully appreciate that we don’t have access to some information such as the exempted video from within the jail as
an example, and it is with that in mind that we seek your help in clarifying our questions and explaining the disconnects
between the findings and the commendations.

Respectfully,

Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon

Investigative Reporter

PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

Mobile: 321.355.8144
Office: 321.242.3658
asassoon@floridatoday.com
www.floridatoday.com

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