Deal Cuts Attempted Murder Charge to Assault

December 2004: In what was considered one of the most litigated criminal cases in Palm Beach County, Telly Andrews was charged in January 2000 with attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer. He faced over 45 years imprisonment. It was alleged that he drove toward an officer, which prompted that police officer to fire about six rounds toward him, several of which hit him as Andrews was driving away from the scene, which was precipitated by a malfunctioning taillight.

August 2008: A 16 year old student at a local high school was shot in the back and killed by a Sheriff’s deputy while he drove away from the deputy; a civil rights investigation was started, and litigation resulted in a favorable settlement for the wrongful death. (See Palm Beach Post article titled: Dead teen’s mom files lawsuit, February 16, 2009 | By Susan Spencer-Wendel The Palm Beach Post)

December 2008: A mother reported that he son stole her vehicle. Sheriff’s deputies found the car being driven at a slow rate of speed, then suddenly stop due to mechanical issues.  The driver never responded to officer’s commands.  He simply did nothing.  Instead of following protocols, deputies approached the vehicle, and upon noticing that the driver had his hands moving around in his pockets, opened fire and killed him. No weapon was ever seen or found. The case is in litigation in federal court. The Palm Beach Post recently reported on this case:

December 2009: We filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Village of North Palm Beach, alleging that it had engaged in a custom, policy, and/or practice of falsely arresting/detaining and maliciously prosecuting individuals for the offense of driving under the influence. Police officers would regularly arrest suspects for DUI without probable cause, even with breath alcohol readings of 0.00. The Village settled with all plaintiffs, and agreed to train its officers in proper DUI investigative techniques.