DEFENDER SOTO	 

The Delegation, Florida Politics, 2/2/2021


This weekend, Kissimmee Democrat Darren Soto urged that charges be dropped against a high school girl slammed on the ground by Florida law enforcement in a viral video. The Congressman said State Attorney Monique Worrell, of Florida's 9th Judicial Circuit, needs to correct an injustice.

"With an investigation pending, Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez and State Attorney Monique Worrell should reconsider charging Taylor Bracey," Soto tweeted. "She has been through enough. This also sends the wrong message about justice and accountability in Osceola County."

Bracey, a 16-year-old student at Liberty High School, was slammed to the ground and handcuffed by School Resource Deputy Ethan Fournier, who remains on paid leave and under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The arrest reportedly happened after disorderly conduct in school. The Orlando Sentinel reports Bracey won't be suspended by the school but now faces charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence. Lopez told the paper his officer is innocent until proven guilty.

The case has quickly become a rallying cry over the difference in treatment of Black suspects, even teenagers, compared to White individuals being arrested. Tallahassee civil rights attorney Ben Crump joined a rally on the Liberty High School incident over the weekend.