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Videotape of abuse
(inadmissible at trial as the incident occurred in the afternoon,
the 2nd altercation that day)
Alabama Teen Convicted in Marianna
November 8, 2007
An 18-year-old Robertsdale,
Alabama, man could be spending as much as 5-years in prison for an
attack on a employee at Dozier School for Boys in Marianna.
A Jackson County jury convicted
Justin Daniel Caldwell on Wednesday of battery on a detention or
commitment facility staff member.
Caldwell elbowed, head-butted, and
kicked a Department of Juvenile Justice employee at Dozier on
February 11th. Several staff members had to assist the battered
officer from the floor.
Later that same day, Caldwell had
another altercation with a Dozier Corrections Officer. Caldwell
claimed the officer, Alvin Speights, choked him and tossed to the
ground. Caldwell hit his head and was supposedly knocked
unconscious.
His father filed an abuse complaint
with the Department of Juvenile Justice. D-J-J launched an
investigation and as a result, Speights, as well as the Regional
Residential Services Director and Dozier's Acting Superintendent
were fired.
D-J-J then brought in a consulting
firm to observe operations at Dozier, and retrained employees in
verbal intervention techniques.
But in September a grand jury
cleared Speights of any wrongdoing, saying he was justified in the
use of force against Caldwell to insure the protection and safety of
himself and others.
As for Caldwell, he's facing a
maximum of five years in prison for the first assault that day.
Sentencing is set for November 27th.
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