Posted on 04/14/2020 5:08:48 PM PDT by nickcarraway
An inmate who was released from a Florida jail in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus is back behind bars and accused of committing second-degree murder the day after he got out, deputies say.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirms 26-year-old Joseph Edwards Williams was arrested on a warrant Monday night in Gibsonton.
They say he is connected to a March 20 shooting homicide in the Progress Village area. Deputies responded at 10:40 that night to several 911 calls about gunshots fired near 81st Street South and Ash Avenue. A man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Online jail records show Williams had been released from custody at 8:02 a.m. on Thursday, March 19 per an administrative order aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the county jails. The sheriff’s office says he was one of more than 100 inmates released from custody until trial.
“There is no question Joseph Williams took advantage of this health emergency to commit crimes while he was out of jail awaiting resolution of a low-level, non-violent offense,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “As a result, I call on the State Attorney to prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”
The HCSO released 164 inmates considered low level and non-violent offenders.
“Judges, prosecutors, and Sheriffs around the country are facing difficult decisions during this health crisis with respect to balancing public health and public safety,” Chronister said. “Sheriffs in Florida and throughout our country have released non-violent, low-level offenders to protect our deputies and the jail population from an outbreak. Our commitment as an agency is to keep this community safe and enforce the law.”
Williams appeared Tuesday afternoon in video court for his new charges: second degree murder with a firearm, a gun charge and resisting an officer.
Deputies arrested Williams on March 13 for possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.
After his court appearance, he is now being held in jail with a combined bond of more than $250,000.
“Every murder, every violent crime, especially those involving a gun, is a sickening example of the worst in our community, especially at a time when our community is working relentlessly to fight against the spread of this deadly COVID-19,” Chronister said.
I guess it’s another Wu-Flu victim.
Dumbestmove releasing inmates AMID the virus.....they have BUILT-IN SOCIAL DISTANCING!! BUILT IN!
That is so unexpected. Who would have guessed that releasing violent criminals would end badly?
Was that counted as a coronavirus death?
Yep.
He should be housed next door to the contemptible idiot who let him out.
I'm all for that. Even though this happened in Florida, from what I can tell. But I do believe for a stupid that special and evil, New York is to blame for . . . spiritual reasons.
WHATEVER STATE....SUE!!!
Thankfully the young gentleman is virus free.
Those who release these criminals into the streets are solely responsible and should be held responsible.
I can’t think of a better place to socially isolate people than in a jail cell.
I’m amazed he was able to pass the background check.
He will be released again by Friday. They will have to have room for the curfew violators.
You for got the /s
The Idiots that signed the release papers should be arrested as accessories
The dead victim’s family members should be permitted to deal with the government official responsible for the perp’s release, in the manner they determine is reasonable.
The same Politicians that want to push for Gun Manufacturers to be liable for prosecution should do hard time for aiding and abetting murder by releasing these convicts the taxpayers spent a ton of money putting behind bars.
One count of accessory to murder on the Governor, on day one...
As conservative detractors said when the Dems announced various releases of prisoners (and about the cities with automatic release without bail money):
Hey, what could go wrong? /s
What the f*** did they think was going to happen when they released criminals?????
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