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Some lawmakers call for arrests of guards, others

They also accuse a nurse, a sheriff and a medical examiner of criminality in the death of Martin Anderson and an alleged coverup.

By ALEX LEARY
Published March 17, 2006

	Statement by Bay County medical examiner on original autopsy Physical tactics not rare at camp

TALLAHASSEE - Pledging to remain vigilant until something is done, a group of lawmakers demanded Thursday that Hillsborough State Attorney Mark Ober take action against the boot camp guards who beat Martin Anderson.

Members of the Legislature's black caucus also called for arrest warrants for the nurse who stood by during the beating and a slew of others involved in the widening controversy.

"From the moment he was yanked out of line at the boot camp because of sheer physical exhaustion, to the far-fetched conclusion by the Bay County coroner that his death was caused by sickle cell trait, this child endured far more than most of us will see in a lifetime," reads a letter sent to Ober by members of the caucus.

"The greatest travesty, however, remains unsolved," the letter goes on. "Namely that the guards who beat Martin and the nurse who casually stood by during the attack have still not been held accountable."

State Sens. Tony Hill, Frederica Wilson and Gary Siplin sent a copy of the letter to Gov. Jeb Bush, who assigned Ober to the case after the Bay County prosecutor recused himself.

Anderson, 14, died in early January, and his death was initially ruled as natural by Bay County Medical Examiner Charles Siebert. But this week, Hillsborough's medical examiner and a noted pathologist working for the Anderson family said the blood disorder sickle cell trait was not the cause.

Backed with that conclusion and the Jan. 5 video showing the beating by a half-dozen guards, lawmakers said Ober should not hesitate to issue arrest warrants for the guards, Siebert, Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen, who ran the now-closed boot camp, the nurse and others.

"We do not wish upon them the same fate," the letter states. "But we demand that they face the same justice."

The group, which said it would hold weekly events calling attention to the case, also said Siebert's medical license should be revoked, saying his actions amounted to a "hate crime."

Ober's spokeswoman Pam Bondi would not comment on the letter, citing the continuing investigation. The Bay County Sheriff's Office did not return a call seeking comment.

Siebert, in a statement, said Thursday night he stands by his autopsy findings and that bruises "were not of a significant nature to affect cause of death." He decried "baseless" and "mean-spirited" allegations against him, saying they come from special-interest groups with little or no understanding of the case.

The lawmakers were joined Thursday by Sen. Steve Geller, D-Hallandale Beach, who echoed their call for action. "It's clear there's a coverup," said Geller, who is white. "People need to be held responsible."

[Last modified March 17, 2006, 01:54:15]