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| Jury: Jail officer 'not guilty' of paralyzing inmate |
| By Sarasota Herald-Tribune |
| Published: 06/28/2004 |
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A jury on Monday acquitted a former corrections officer on charges he intentionally rammed an inmate's head into a wall, leaving the inmate paralyzed. Matthew O'Kon dropped his head after hearing the verdict then looked up and smiled, hugging his parents before stepping into a hall full of family and friends, many of whom were dialing cell phones to report the news. "I'm so relieved, that's all," said O'Kon moments later, on an elevator. He faced up to five years in prison if convicted of felony battery. Andolyn Brooks stormed out of the courtroom, asking how a jury could let O'Kon go free while her 23-year-old son, Gerrese Daniels, is in a wheelchair and may never walk again. She would not comment. The midday verdict came after an unusually long, eight-hour deliberation by a jury of four women and two men. Prosecutors argued that O'Kon slammed Daniels in the wall intentionally, while O'Kon said it was an accident. In the end, jurors said that prosecutors did not prove that O'Kon's actions were "unwarranted." They factored in the raucous atmosphere at the Sarasota County (Fla.) Jail, and decided that O'Kon was simply trying to control Daniels, who was causing problems. After the jury verdict was read, Circuit Judge Andrew Owens said a few positive words to O'Kon, who's now a limo driver. "It's obvious you were an excellent corrections officer," Owens said. "I would encourage you to continue your career." |
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