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Editor: Tampa Criminal Attorneys
Profession: Tampa Defense Attorneys

Category: Recent Wins

ATTEMPTED MURDER ON A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

CASE #04-CF-024505; Judge Manual Lopez; Date: April 10, 2006

FACTS: The defendant was initially charged with Attempted Murder on a Law enforcement officer, Battery on a law enforcement officer, and two charges of resisting with violence. The defendant was alleged to have attacked two people at an apartment complex. As soon as the police arrived they confronted the defendant and asked him to get on the ground. A chase ensued and the police attempted to subdue the defendant. According to the deputy the defendant reached around her neck and choked her. Shortly after the defendant let go of the deputy he was brought down by numerous other officers.

DEFENSE: Shortly after the defendant was arrested we located an independent witness that saw the entire incident. We immediately contacted the State Attorney's Office before formal charges were filed, and convinced the state to drop the attempted murder charge. In addition to the independent witness, we conducted discovery depositions of all the officers involved in the case. Through these depositions and the discovery of an independent witness we argued that the defendant was attempting to protect himself.

RESULT: The defendant pled guilty to one charge of battery on a law enforcement officer, one charge of misdemeanor battery, and one misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer without violence. The remaining resisting with violence charge was dropped. The defendant was not convicted on any of the above charges.