finally put on trial in 2001. They were shortly pronounced not guilty ostensibly because no one could prove which of the 8 who beat on the inmate actually dealt him the killing blow. The second half of the Valdes murder team never so much as stood in a courtroom.

Everyone agreed it was a very poor excuse for justice, so Ms. Valdes continued pushing a civil suit, which the FDOC very recently settled, finally admitting some degree of guilt by paying the dead inmate's family a relatively minor fee. Still not one of the offending officers ever owned their part in that brutal crime, and when they went free, an officer expressed many worker's thoughts when he wrote, "EeeHah, Let the blood flow!"

Another equally disgusting message has recently been sent by the outcome of another Florida excuse for justice where the bad guys temporarily win again. Like the increase in violence and threats of violence after the Valdes fiasco, I won't be surprised to see an increase in harassment by male officers on females in the department. After all, the message was loud and clear.

In the following statement, one of the female officers whose sexual harassment lawsuit turned out a lot like the Valdes trial, explains the outcome and what she plans to do about it. Thank goodness some people don't quit easily or there'd be no justice at all in Florida!

Kay Lee

kaylee1@charter.net

************************

THE TRUTH ABOUT MY TRIAL By Karen Jones

Dear KayLee: I am writing to you so that you can possibly get everyone to understand just what went wrong with my lawsuit and trial.

First: This is the FIRST [sexual harassment of female officer by male prison workers] lawsuit that has actually made it to the Courts. Especially the Federal Courts. So, that in itself is a victory. Now I will take it from here.

The trial was scheduled for three weeks. It ended in two. Reason is because Judge Adams made it CLEAR that he was NOT going to tie up a jury for three weeks over this "situation." Honestly, both sides, the state and the plaintiffs, needed three weeks of testimony to fairly prove this claim of Sexual Harassment, Retaliation, and Hostile Work Environment. Witnesses that needed to testify could not due to time [constraints]. I blame the judge for this and I believe that on appeal this will make a huge difference.

Testimony about the past history of the accused was "side benched" before it could be brought out to the jury. In other words, the magistrate judges ruled that we COULD use DOC discipline and other employment issues, but Judge Adams had to hear the argument BEFORE any questioning could occur. In every case he sustained the objection. Clearly, this helped the state make their side look as if these men and women had great work histories and no discipline. Again, I blame Judge Adams for this and I believe that on appeal again this will make a huge difference.

I did NOT object to any of my past history being dragged into the court room. Problem was that several of my co-plaintiffs had some very damning pasts which involved their work ethics and history. One plaintiff in particular tainted our case to the point of complete disaster. In other words, she made all of us look very bad. For YEARS, me and ex-Lieutenant Felicia Suelter BEGGED our counsel to sever with this other plaintiff. To no avail.

I went "attorney shopping" but was told that too much money, time and attorney ethics would prevent me from obtaining other counsel. In other words, another attorney would not touch this case because it was already way to expensive and too long in the making.

Towards the last several months before trial, a huge argument between me and my law firm occurred. I should have fired them and held this case up until counsel and client could either sever or agree on certain issues with my case. I blame MYSELF for not firing my attorneys. But, with this said, I stand behind all the women who were in court with me because I KNOW we were all sexually harassed, etc., and regardless of anything else I admire all of us who stood up to be heard.

The jury was all white. Four men and four women. Most were from St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, and the Greater Jacksonville area. We had a total "white collar" jury. Everyone had a bachelors degree on up to one with a PhD. The average income for these jurors was over $80,000.00 a year. One was a manager for the power company, in Jacksonville, another a Physical Therapist, a teacher, an IRS agent, a financial consultant. All MANAGEMENT! I knew right from the beginning that it was a total disaster.

One of my personal picks was a 19 year old. He was a student studying journalism, came from a blue collar family and was perfect to hear this case. How in the hell can you convince "people" who are in management that management is wrong? Their whole jobs revolved around protecting their company and its management. Duh!!!

I DO have a state case pending. I have discussed this avenue with NEW COUNSEL who is very interested in taking it on to State Court. But, this will be heard in Bradford County. Right where the Valdes case was lost and Prison Country runs the surrounding counties.

Could it be possible for me to win in State Court? I believe the answer is yes. Reason: Right now, this area is divided between Crosby and the love- hate relationship with DOC. Believe it or not, some of these people in this area are very angry with DOC and have been hurt, very badly, by the prison system. The feedback I get is mixed, but mostly positive for a win in state court.

Furthermore, these good ole boys who have these deep dark secrets, will be really upset to have this heard in their home town. I mean, what would the wife think?

Lastly, this is not an inmate against officer situation. It is officer vs officer. Many, many females are sick and tired of being harassed and bullied by the "boys."

What am I going to do? Well, I am not giving up. First, it is going to be appealed to the appellate court in Atlanta. Next, comes the Supreme Court. My current counsel will have to handle this. I have made the decision to hire this new counsel and take it to State Court. Because this case has already been heard at the Federal level, does NOT mean that it cannot be heard in the Florida Courts. Therefore, me and another plaintiff are going to take this to the Bradford County Court House. It is my intention to MAKE DOC continue to hear and deal with this "situation." The biggest difference is that we will NOT put management and their "broken system" on trial. We WILL put the workers on trial and make them the target of the suit. I will also bring Crosby in and leave other top management out. Furthermore, McDonough will be made a part of this because he has fired many for sexual harassment that I was made to endure during Crosby's [tenure].

In closing. We have NOT heard the last of Karen Jones. I am not known for giving up and losing five years of my life to hear a snob jury all made up of management tell me that I was not assaulted, harassed, and retaliated against by this agency. PERIOD!!!!!

You have my permission to place this on your web site. Thank You for your continued support and encouragement. With All My Love, Karen A. Jones

SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWSUIT ON MTWT

With Articles, Links, and commentary

http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/fci/lawteyoutcome.html