Post by WaTcHeR on Sept 21, 2006 8:38:24 GMT -5
09.21.2006 - Former Orange County Deputy Sheriff Michelle Velez won't have to worry anymore about going to prison.
A jury eased her concerns Wednesday when it acquitted her of two felony charges -- battery on a law-enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence.
But she could go to jail. Velez, 30, was found guilty of resisting arrest without violence, a misdemeanor. She will be sentenced Friday at the Orange County Courthouse.
"She's happy with the verdict and feels vindicated," said her attorney, Ricardo Pesquera.
After the verdict, Circuit Court Senior Judge Frank Kaney -- who was handling the case for Circuit Court Judge Stan Strickland -- remanded her to jail until sentencing. Outraged with this decision, Pesquera took the case to Strickland, who released her.
The July 1, 2005, incident occurred while Velez was on maternity leave from her job as a road-patrol deputy. That day, her sister and brother-in-law had a fight.
Her sister called police. Velez encouraged her brother-in-law to return to the scene, and she went with him. She testified that when they arrived, Velez told the officers that she was a deputy and showed her badge.
Orlando police said they didn't see her badge until after she was arrested. They said she charged one of the officers, hitting his arm, and would not back away. That officer fired his Taser.
They struggled to get her handcuffed. Velez said she had her arms clutched over her chest in pain from the prongs when they tried to handcuff her. She said she didn't intentionally push anyone.
The Sheriff's Office fired Velez after the incident.
Pesquera said Velez plans to try to get her job back. She's also considering suing Orlando police.
www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-mvelez2106sep21,0,7424165.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-orange
A jury eased her concerns Wednesday when it acquitted her of two felony charges -- battery on a law-enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence.
But she could go to jail. Velez, 30, was found guilty of resisting arrest without violence, a misdemeanor. She will be sentenced Friday at the Orange County Courthouse.
"She's happy with the verdict and feels vindicated," said her attorney, Ricardo Pesquera.
After the verdict, Circuit Court Senior Judge Frank Kaney -- who was handling the case for Circuit Court Judge Stan Strickland -- remanded her to jail until sentencing. Outraged with this decision, Pesquera took the case to Strickland, who released her.
The July 1, 2005, incident occurred while Velez was on maternity leave from her job as a road-patrol deputy. That day, her sister and brother-in-law had a fight.
Her sister called police. Velez encouraged her brother-in-law to return to the scene, and she went with him. She testified that when they arrived, Velez told the officers that she was a deputy and showed her badge.
Orlando police said they didn't see her badge until after she was arrested. They said she charged one of the officers, hitting his arm, and would not back away. That officer fired his Taser.
They struggled to get her handcuffed. Velez said she had her arms clutched over her chest in pain from the prongs when they tried to handcuff her. She said she didn't intentionally push anyone.
The Sheriff's Office fired Velez after the incident.
Pesquera said Velez plans to try to get her job back. She's also considering suing Orlando police.
www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-mvelez2106sep21,0,7424165.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-orange