Sat, Apr. 29, 2006
State pressured to resolve boot-camp death
Black Caucus wants someone blamed for tragedy
STEPHEN MAJORS
Herald Staff Writer
TALLAHASSEE - Members of the Florida Legislature's Black Caucus held a press conference in Tallahassee Friday to keep the pressure on state leaders to hold someone accountable for the death of 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson, beaten by guards at a Panama City boot-camp in January.
Repeating the mantra from last week's march on the Capitol, "Justice Delayed is Justice Denied," state Sens. Tony Hill, Frederica Wilson and Gary Siplin spoke about the need for someone to be charged with the crime resulting in Anderson's death.
They were joined by black representatives from the House, including state Rep. Frank Peterman, D-St. Petersburg.
The lawmakers also spoke in support of a legislative agreement reached this week that will turn the state's existing boot camps, including the one in Manatee County, into Sheriff's Training and Respect (STAR) programs.
The revamped camps will prevent any physical contact between guards and juveniles except in extreme circumstances where guards or other juveniles are in physical danger. They will be modeled after the camp in Martin County, which is viewed as the most successful camp because of its after-care program that follows up on juveniles.
Wilson, a Democrat from Miami, said black lawmakers and others calling for action will continue to hold press conferences around the state each Friday.