Within hours of this afternoon's acquittal, Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order reinstating Liberty County Sheriff Nick Finch to his position "effective immediately."
“I would like to thank the members of the jury in Liberty County for their service in this trial," Scott said in a statement. "I would also like to thank Interim Sheriff Buddy Money for his service to the state of Florida."
Earlier post
The misconduct charge is a third-degree felony that carries up to five years in prison. The public records charge is a misdemeanor. Gov. Rick Scott used his constitutional authority to suspended Finch after he was charged this summer.
The jury issued their not guilty verdicts on both counts after about an hour of deliberations.
After the verdict was issued, Finch broke down in tears after embracing his wife, Angela, and 16-year-old daughter. He promptly called Gov. Rick Scott on his cellphone and asked to be restored to office.
Jury begins deliberations in Liberty County sheriff trial
Bristol – The jury has begun deliberations in the trial of Liberty County's suspended sheriff.
Nick Finch is charged with official misconduct and falsifying public records in the March arrest of Floyd Parish, who was carrying an unlicensed pistol in his pocket when he was pulled over for a traffic offense. Finch released him from the jail, and prosecutors argue he played a role in destroying records of the arrest.
The case has become a flash point for gun rights advocates. In their closing arguments this morning, lawyers disputed what role their view of the second amendment should play a role in the final verdict.
Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell said the issue at the heart of the case is whether Finch abused his role as a public official by altering official records and hiding the truth about what happened the night of the arrest.
"The second amendment has nothing to do with this case, ladies and gentlemen," he said. "It's about the truth."
Finch's attorney, James Judkins, argued the evidence did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the sheriff had altered the records. He said Finch released Parrish after making a "policy decision" that people in the county should not face felony charges for mistakenly carrying firearms.
"It's the way of life over here for people to own guns," he said.
The courtroom in Bristol is packed as people await the verdict.
Replies
God is Good! The American people are aware of this regime's attack on guns and the Sheriffs and the U.S. Constitution. God Bless Sheriff Nick Finch for standing up for the U.S. Constitution and morality and doing the right thing.
Sheriff Finch took the stand to proclaim his position on the Bill of Rights; that should also be a message that each and every one of us are obligated to do the same. We have no standing as Constitutionalists unless we stand up to the the prevailing authority within our realm, unless we stand on, and proclaim the Bill of Rights as our defense. We are no longer in a game playing mode of unfounded theoretical rhetoric, but a daily function of fact that our nation is coming to a close with out our contesting it.
Like Sheriff Finch and Sheriff Mack and the many other Constitutional sheriff's, we as Citizen's of the Republic be following their lead. Select your friends, avoid those who do not know or "care" to know about the Constitution or how it functions. You life and your following generations will be dependent on the stand that you take.
We are in a "Root Hog or Die" life style today, make the most of it.
Great News!!
I commend sheriff Finch and pray he will take the following to heart for as I wrote in To Tame a Tyrant: it's not a question of whether government will come for our guns, only when. Walt Myers
Political Action Coordinating Conference (PACC) submission
SUBJECT: LOCAL AREA SECURITY TEAM (LAST)
PROBLEM – Elected officials have acted to intentionally destroy people’s ability to enjoy their unalienable Rights to Life, Liberty, and opportunity to pursue happiness; the security of which is the PURPOSE for which government was created! (Declaration of Independence) Those responsible for the Acts and their perpetuation are guilty of crimes cited in Title 18 of the U.S. Criminal Code. To prevent being held accountable under the law government intends to disarm Americans.
RELATED FACTS
DISCUSSION – Millions of Americans have tried to convince elected officials to do what’s right by restoring lawful government; all to no avail! Sadly, it appears we’ve reached the point made by President Kennedy in 1962 saying “Those who make peaceful resolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” And while we should “keep trying to peacefully resolve our problem till the lead starts flying,” we should also heed Thomas Jefferson’s advice saying: “The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government” and George Washington’s advice saying "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."
CONCLUSION – County Sheriffs having the courage, integrity and desire to honor their oath of office should insure selected individuals within their county are trained, equipped and prepared to be part of a Local Area Security Team (LAST) as a last ditch effort to stop the disarmament of their constituents and further destruction of lawful government.
RECOMMENDATION – Members of www.ConstitutionClubUSA.com County teams and their affiliates form an Objective Pursuit Team to discuss forming a Local Area Security Team with their County Sheriff, their cities Chiefs of Police, and to distribute copies of the Appeal to Veterans and law enforcement personnel located at http://www.thecnc.org/Documents/ActiveDuty.htm.