Editing Death of Martin Anderson
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{{original research|date=June 2019 |reason=Article contains sources which do not even mention the subject, as well as primary sources without secondary sources to help interpret. This violates WP:SYNTH}} |
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'''Martin Lee Anderson''' (c. January 15, 1991 – January 6, 2006) was a 14-year-old from [[Florida]] who died while [[Incarceration|incarcerated]] at a [[Boot camp (correctional)|boot camp]]-style [[youth detention center]], the Bay County Boot Camp,<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web |url=http://media.tbo.com/tbo/1128lee3.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2007-01-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820090003/http://media.tbo.com/tbo/1128lee3.pdf |archivedate=August 20, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} Mark A. Ober, State Attorney, to The Honorable Jeb Bush, Governor, November 28, 2006</ref> located in [[Panama City, Florida]], and operated by the [[Bay County, Florida|Bay County]] Sheriff's Office.<ref>http://www.bayso.org/ Bay County Sheriff's Office website</ref> Upon arriving at the camp he was forced to run track, and within two hours he became fatigued and stopped. The guards coerced him to continue his run. He returned to the track, collapsed and died a short while later. A portion of the surveillance video depicting the coercion was made public.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://nospank.net/anderson.htm Video recording shows what happened.]</ref> The incident resulted in the [[Florida legislature]] voting to close the state's five juvenile boot camps. |
'''Martin Lee Anderson''' (c. January 15, 1991 – January 6, 2006) was a 14-year-old from [[Florida]] who died while [[Incarceration|incarcerated]] at a [[Boot camp (correctional)|boot camp]]-style [[youth detention center]], the Bay County Boot Camp,<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web |url=http://media.tbo.com/tbo/1128lee3.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2007-01-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820090003/http://media.tbo.com/tbo/1128lee3.pdf |archivedate=August 20, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} Mark A. Ober, State Attorney, to The Honorable Jeb Bush, Governor, November 28, 2006</ref> located in [[Panama City, Florida]], and operated by the [[Bay County, Florida|Bay County]] Sheriff's Office.<ref>http://www.bayso.org/ Bay County Sheriff's Office website</ref> Upon arriving at the camp he was forced to run track, and within two hours he became fatigued and stopped. The guards coerced him to continue his run. He returned to the track, collapsed and died a short while later. A portion of the surveillance video depicting the coercion was made public.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://nospank.net/anderson.htm Video recording shows what happened.]</ref> The incident resulted in the [[Florida legislature]] voting to close the state's five juvenile boot camps. |
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⚫ | The death became a [[cause célèbre]] and received national attention. The local [[medical examiner]], Dr. Charles Siebert, performed an [[autopsy]] and ruled that the teen died of "complications from [[sickle cell trait]]". He said, "It was a natural death."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060217%2FNEWS%2F602170393 |title=Melissa Nelson, "Teen's Boot Camp Death 'Natural'", ''The Ledger / Associated Press'' (February 17 2006). |access-date=March 14, 2006 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192411/http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060217%2FNEWS%2F602170393 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This caused further [[protest|public outcry]] because the public did not understand how forensic pathologists determine manner of death. The public assumed that because the manner was "natural" that no charges could be brought to anyone for his death. The Governor ordered a second autopsy; the second pathologist, Dr. Vern Adams, ruled Martin Anderson's death was "caused by [[suffocation]] due to actions of the guards at the boot camp. The suffocation was caused by manual occlusion of the mouth, in concert with forced inhalation of [[ammonia]] fumes that caused spasm of the vocal cords resulting in internal blockage of the upper airway."<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/national/bootcamp-statement.pdf Mark A. Ober, State Attorney, Press Release, May 5, 2006</ref> |
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⚫ | Public indignation resulted in the closing of the state's five juvenile boot camps, the firing of Siebert, and charges of [[manslaughter]] against the guards. Governor [[Charlie Crist]] directed the state of Florida to settle a family lawsuit for $5 million. Eventually, the guards were acquitted at trial.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} The controversy regarding Siebert's firing resulted in accusations by the [[National Association of Medical Examiners]], independent groups of medical examiners throughout the nation, the State Attorney, and the Bay County Commissioners complaining that the Florida Medical Examiner system had been compromised by [[racial politics]].{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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==Circumstances== |
==Circumstances== |
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Bush appointed [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough County]] [[State Attorney]] Mark Ober to oversee the case, which remains open and under his supervision. |
Bush appointed [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough County]] [[State Attorney]] Mark Ober to oversee the case, which remains open and under his supervision. |
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On November 28, 2006, authorities announced the arrest of eight people in connection with Anderson's death. Seven guards and a nurse were charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, a felony.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newman |first1=Andy |title=Nurse and 7 Guards Are Charged in Teenager's Death at Boot Camp |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/29/us/nurse-and-7-guards-are-charged-in-teenagers-death-at-boot-camp.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 11, 2022 |date=November 29, 2006}}</ref> They were all later acquitted of the charges.<ref> |
On November 28, 2006, authorities announced the arrest of eight people in connection with Anderson's death. Seven guards and a nurse were charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, a felony.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newman |first1=Andy |title=Nurse and 7 Guards Are Charged in Teenager's Death at Boot Camp |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/29/us/nurse-and-7-guards-are-charged-in-teenagers-death-at-boot-camp.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 11, 2022 |date=November 29, 2006}}</ref> They were all later acquitted of the charges.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7042429.stm BBC News,</ref> |
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On April 16, 2010, the [[U.S. Department of Justice]] stated that no federal criminal civil rights charges would be filed against the eight people who were originally charged in his death. The press release included the following: |
On April 16, 2010, the [[U.S. Department of Justice]] stated that no federal criminal civil rights charges would be filed against the eight people who were originally charged in his death. The press release included the following: |
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Tunnell also sent e-mails to current Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen, detailing his agency's efforts to withhold the video tape of the incident at the boot camp that led to Anderson's death. Ober eventually removed the FDLE from the investigation. |
Tunnell also sent e-mails to current Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen, detailing his agency's efforts to withhold the video tape of the incident at the boot camp that led to Anderson's death. Ober eventually removed the FDLE from the investigation. |
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Tunnell resigned from his post as FDLE chief in April 2006, after comments reportedly made by him about then Senator [[Barack Obama]] and [[Jesse Jackson]] were leaked to the press. In these comments he compared Jackson to [[Jesse James]], and Obama to terrorist [[Osama |
Tunnell resigned from his post as FDLE chief in April 2006, after comments reportedly made by him about then Senator [[Barack Obama]] and [[Jesse Jackson]] were leaked to the press. In these comments he compared Jackson to [[Jesse James]], and Obama to terrorist [[Osama Bin Laden]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Latest News - Jackson, Sharpton Lead March To Protest Boot Camp Death |url=http://www.november.org/stayinfo/breaking06/FLBootCamp.html |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www.november.org}}</ref> |
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State Attorney Steve Meadows, who recused himself from the Anderson investigation, later rehired Tunnell to work on "cold case" files. |
State Attorney Steve Meadows, who recused himself from the Anderson investigation, later rehired Tunnell to work on "cold case" files. |
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On September 27, 2006, Anderson's parents returned to Tallahassee seeking a meeting with Bush, claiming he had promised them an "open dialogue" at their meeting in April. However, Bush refused them audience.<ref>http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060928/CAPITOLNEWS/609280356&SearchID=73258948738844 ''Tallahassee Democrat'', September 28, 2006.</ref> |
On September 27, 2006, Anderson's parents returned to Tallahassee seeking a meeting with Bush, claiming he had promised them an "open dialogue" at their meeting in April. However, Bush refused them audience.<ref>http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060928/CAPITOLNEWS/609280356&SearchID=73258948738844 ''Tallahassee Democrat'', September 28, 2006.</ref> |
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⚫ | The death became a [[cause célèbre]] and received national attention. The local [[medical examiner]], Dr. Charles Siebert, performed an [[autopsy]] and ruled that the teen died of "complications from [[sickle cell trait]]". He said, "It was a natural death."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060217%2FNEWS%2F602170393 |title=Melissa Nelson, "Teen's Boot Camp Death 'Natural'", ''The Ledger / Associated Press'' (February 17 2006). |access-date=March 14, 2006 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192411/http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060217%2FNEWS%2F602170393 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This caused further [[protest|public outcry]] because the public did not understand how forensic pathologists determine manner of death. The public assumed that because the manner was "natural" that no charges could be brought to anyone for his death. The Governor ordered a second autopsy; the second pathologist, Dr. Vern Adams, ruled Martin Anderson's death was "caused by [[suffocation]] due to actions of the guards at the boot camp. The suffocation was caused by manual occlusion of the mouth, in concert with forced inhalation of [[ammonia]] fumes that caused spasm of the vocal cords resulting in internal blockage of the upper airway."<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/national/bootcamp-statement.pdf Mark A. Ober, State Attorney, Press Release, May 5, 2006</ref> |
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⚫ | Public indignation resulted in the closing of the state's five juvenile boot camps, the firing of Siebert, and charges of [[manslaughter]] against the guards. Governor [[Charlie Crist]] directed the state of Florida to settle a family lawsuit for $5 million. Eventually, the guards were acquitted at trial.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} The controversy regarding Siebert's firing resulted in accusations by the [[National Association of Medical Examiners]], independent groups of medical examiners throughout the nation, the State Attorney, and the Bay County Commissioners complaining that the Florida Medical Examiner system had been compromised by [[racial politics]].{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} |
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==Actions taken against state/investigators== |
==Actions taken against state/investigators== |
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The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida and the FBI joined state agencies in the investigation. |
The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida and the FBI joined state agencies in the investigation. |
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On October 12, 2007, Robert Miller, [[United States Attorney]] for the [[Northern District of Florida]], and Acting [[ |
On October 12, 2007, Robert Miller, [[United States Attorney]] for the [[Northern District of Florida]], and Acting [[Assistant Attorney General]] for the Civil Rights Division, Rena Comisac, announced that the USDOJ will make a "thorough and independent review" of the evidence concerning the death of 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson. They were actively monitoring the state's prosecution of the boot camp personnel, and promised to take appropriate action if the evidence indicates a prosecutable criminal violation of federal civil rights statutes.<ref name=autogenerated4>[http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071012/BREAKINGNEWS/71012020 Jeff Burlew. "U.S. Attorney's Office to review Anderson case", ''Tallahassee Democrat'' (October 12 2007)]</ref> |
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On April 16, 2010, the Department of Justice concluded that there was insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against the guards.<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/April/10-crt-428.html "Federal Officials Close the Investigation into the Death of Martin Lee Anderson", ''US Department of Justice'' (April 16, 2010)]</ref> |
On April 16, 2010, the Department of Justice concluded that there was insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against the guards.<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/April/10-crt-428.html "Federal Officials Close the Investigation into the Death of Martin Lee Anderson", ''US Department of Justice'' (April 16, 2010)]</ref> |
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On July 12, 2006, Robert Anderson and Gina Jones filed a $40 million [[wrongful death]] lawsuit against the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Bay County Sheriff's Office. Anderson's parents claimed civil-rights violations were committed by both agencies and that both had conspired to cover up significant facts in the investigation, in addition to charges of negligence. |
On July 12, 2006, Robert Anderson and Gina Jones filed a $40 million [[wrongful death]] lawsuit against the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Bay County Sheriff's Office. Anderson's parents claimed civil-rights violations were committed by both agencies and that both had conspired to cover up significant facts in the investigation, in addition to charges of negligence. |
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Anderson and Jones offered to settle with the sheriff for $3 million, the maximum allowed under the agency's insurance, but McKeithen refused the offer, calling a settlement "premature" before an investigation was complete. The case is pending; under state [[sovereign immunity#United States|sovereign immunity]] law, if Anderson and Jones win their case, the state's damages would be capped at $200,000. |
Anderson and Jones offered to settle with the sheriff for $3 million, the maximum allowed under the agency's insurance, but McKeithen refused the offer, calling a settlement "premature" before an investigation was complete. The case is pending; under state [[sovereign immunity#In the United States|sovereign immunity]] law, if Anderson and Jones win their case, the state's damages would be capped at $200,000. |
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[[Florida Attorney General]] [[Charlie Crist]], commenting on the case the same day, said that a $3 million settlement "might not be enough."<ref>http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/politics/15033683.htm?source=rss&channel=bradenton_politics/ Manatee Bradenton Sarasota ''Herald Today''.</ref> |
[[Florida Attorney General]] [[Charlie Crist]], commenting on the case the same day, said that a $3 million settlement "might not be enough."<ref>http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/politics/15033683.htm?source=rss&channel=bradenton_politics/ Manatee Bradenton Sarasota ''Herald Today''.</ref> |
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On October 18, 2006, [[U.S. District Judge]] [[ |
On October 18, 2006, [[U.S. District Judge]] [[Robert Hinkle]] set a trial date of April 16, 2007. In the same ruling, the judge dismissed the civil-rights and conspiracy charges against the Department of Juvenile Justice and Bay County Sheriff's Office, and ruled that they would not be responsible for punitive damages. |
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On March 14, 2007, [[Florida Governor]] [[Charlie Crist]] recommended that the state agree to pay $5 million to Anderson's family, in a deal that would allow the Anderson Family to pursue another $5 million from [[Bay County, Florida]]. The recommendation still has to pass the Florida legislature. Also on March 14, a copy of the video, enhanced by NASA was made public.<ref>https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070314/ap_on_re_us/boot_camp_death;_ylt=Al3bsTtuI9XmPqXiLhr2lt_MWM0F {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> |
On March 14, 2007, [[Florida Governor]] [[Charlie Crist]] recommended that the state agree to pay $5 million to Anderson's family, in a deal that would allow the Anderson Family to pursue another $5 million from [[Bay County, Florida]]. The recommendation still has to pass the Florida legislature. Also on March 14, a copy of the video, enhanced by NASA was made public.<ref>https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070314/ap_on_re_us/boot_camp_death;_ylt=Al3bsTtuI9XmPqXiLhr2lt_MWM0F {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> |
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* Bay County Sheriff's Office report - 2006-066993. |
* Bay County Sheriff's Office report - 2006-066993. |
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* Bay County Clerk of Court, case number 01003174. |
* Bay County Clerk of Court, case number 01003174. |
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* Mitch Stacy, [https://www.forbes.com/business/energy/feeds/ap/2006/03/14/ap2593587.html "Prosecutor: Blood Disorder Didn't Kill Boy"]{{dead link|date= |
* Mitch Stacy, [https://www.forbes.com/business/energy/feeds/ap/2006/03/14/ap2593587.html "Prosecutor: Blood Disorder Didn't Kill Boy"]{{dead link|date=May 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, ''[[Forbes]]''. March 14, 2006. |
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* Melissa Nelson, [ |
* Melissa Nelson, [http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060311/NEWS/603110364/1004 "Boy Who Died After Boot Camp Beating Is Exhumed"]{{Dead link|date=December 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''The Ledger / [[Associated Press]]'', March 11, 2006. |
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* Marc Caputo, [http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14071660.htm "BOOT CAMP DEATH: Experts exhume boot camp teen's body"]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''Miami Herald'', March 11, 2006. |
* Marc Caputo, [http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14071660.htm "BOOT CAMP DEATH: Experts exhume boot camp teen's body"]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''Miami Herald'', March 11, 2006. |
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* [ |
* [http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11396434 "Parents want charges in boot camp death"], ''Associated Press'', February 18, 2006. (includes video footage) |
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* [http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/21/State/County_ends_boot_camp.shtml "County ends boot camp program"], ''[[St. Petersburg Times]] / Associated Press'', February 21, 2006. |
* [http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/21/State/County_ends_boot_camp.shtml "County ends boot camp program"], ''[[St. Petersburg Times]] / Associated Press'', February 21, 2006. |
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* Daniela Velázquez, [http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060413/NEWS01/604130320/1010 "Boot camp case stirs students"], ''Tallahassee Democrat'', April 13, 2006. |
* Daniela Velázquez, [http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060413/NEWS01/604130320/1010 "Boot camp case stirs students"], ''Tallahassee Democrat'', April 13, 2006. |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Martin}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Martin}} |
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[[Category:1991 births]] |
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[[Category:2006 deaths]] |
[[Category:2006 deaths]] |
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[[Category:Asphyxia-related deaths by law enforcement in the United States]] |
[[Category:Asphyxia-related deaths by law enforcement in the United States]] |