Shoar: Special Prosecutor will reach the same conclusion
St Johns County Sheriff, David B. Shoar, whose department has ruled the death a suicide, responded to the gubernatorial appointment and new investigation in an announcement that was distributed to the local media.
“The more this case became controversial, the more we embraced the idea of having two experienced death investigators examine and review this case,” Shoar explained. “Investigators who are objective, expertly trained, with years of experience, and who have not been subjected to the vagaries of social media.”
“We are confident that the new Special Prosecutor will reach the same conclusion that one law enforcement agency, two State Attorney’s including one who was assigned as a Special Prosecutor by the Governor, and three medical examiners reached; that being the tragic death of Michelle O’Connell was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” wrote Shoar in his announcement. “We certainly hope that the O’Connell family finds peace and acceptance in the findings of this new Special Prosecutor, something we have never been able to provide.”
“Deputy Banks and Michelle’s brother, Deputy Scott O’Connell, have both filed civil lawsuits against the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and their agents; Dominic Pape and Rusty Rodgers,” Shoar pointed out. “It is truly ironic that the man that certain members of the O’Connell family have accused of being culpable in Michelle’s death, is the man filing a civil lawsuit — where one cannot hide behind the Fifth Amendment.”
On Monday’s program, members of the O’Connell family, including Michelle’s mother, Patty O’Connell, her sister Jennifer O’Connell, her brother Scott O’Connell, as well as their attorneys, Janet Johnson and Ben Crump, Banks’ attorney, Robert L. “Mac” McLeod, and former Deputy, Debra Maynard, are all participating and appear in the program.
“On many occasions I have thought about asking for this, but chose not to — once I realized the utter unfairness it would be to Deputy Banks,” Shoar said. “Along that same line, I often wish some of us could walk for a bit in his shoes.”
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