Tallahassee Democrat by Jeff Burlew
July 24, 2020
A Leon Circuit judge ruled today that the Tallahassee police officer who shot and killed Tony McDade is not protected under Marsy’s Law, clearing the way for release of his name.
Judge Charles Dodson, in a five-page order, found that Marsy’s Law, a constitutional amendment passed by Florida voters giving privacy and other rights to crime victims, doesn’t apply in the high-profile case.
He ordered the city of Tallahassee to release the name of the officer and another who arrived early on scene. It was not immediately clear when the city would do so.
“The court finds that the explicit language of Marsy’s Law was not intended to apply to law enforcement officers when acting in their official capacity,” Dodson wrote.
The judge added that law enforcement officers have “a unique duty” to enforce the laws of the state but are not shielded by Marsy’s Law.