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Florida Inmate Released Amid Pandemic Killed Someone the Next Day, Officials Say Florida Inmate Released Amid Pandemic Killed Someone the Next Day, Officials Say
(about 4 hours later)
It was an effort, like many across the country, to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus in jails. But one day after officials in Hillsborough County, Fla., released more than 160 inmates, one of them shot and killed a man in Tampa, the authorities said.It was an effort, like many across the country, to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus in jails. But one day after officials in Hillsborough County, Fla., released more than 160 inmates, one of them shot and killed a man in Tampa, the authorities said.
The inmate, Joseph Edward Williams, 26, was arrested this week and charged with second-degree murder, resisting an officer with violence as well as drug and gun charges, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.The inmate, Joseph Edward Williams, 26, was arrested this week and charged with second-degree murder, resisting an officer with violence as well as drug and gun charges, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Mr. Williams had been released on March 19 from the Orient Road Jail in Tampa, awaiting resolution of lower-level, nonviolent drug offenses, the sheriff’s office said. He was accused of committing the murder the next day.Mr. Williams had been released on March 19 from the Orient Road Jail in Tampa, awaiting resolution of lower-level, nonviolent drug offenses, the sheriff’s office said. He was accused of committing the murder the next day.
Mr. Williams was the only one of the 164 inmates released from two county jails to have been arrested again, the sheriff’s office said on Wednesday. But the case could reignite criticism from some law enforcement officials and prosecutors who had warned that releasing inmates as a public health response to the virus could jeopardize public safety.Mr. Williams was the only one of the 164 inmates released from two county jails to have been arrested again, the sheriff’s office said on Wednesday. But the case could reignite criticism from some law enforcement officials and prosecutors who had warned that releasing inmates as a public health response to the virus could jeopardize public safety.
Around the country, the authorities are releasing thousands of inmates jailed for probation violations, low-level drug offenses and other low-level crimes, trying to slow the spread of the virus already sweeping through prisons and jails, many of them overcrowded and unsanitary.Around the country, the authorities are releasing thousands of inmates jailed for probation violations, low-level drug offenses and other low-level crimes, trying to slow the spread of the virus already sweeping through prisons and jails, many of them overcrowded and unsanitary.
In Chicago, where infections at the county jail are soaring, one official compared the prison system to “petri dishes.” In New York, hundreds of inmates and staff members have tested positive at Rikers Island. And in Washington, Attorney General William P. Barr ordered the Bureau of Prisons on Friday to expand the group of federal inmates eligible for early release.In Chicago, where infections at the county jail are soaring, one official compared the prison system to “petri dishes.” In New York, hundreds of inmates and staff members have tested positive at Rikers Island. And in Washington, Attorney General William P. Barr ordered the Bureau of Prisons on Friday to expand the group of federal inmates eligible for early release.
Florida has the third-largest prison system in the country, according to the state Department of Corrections, with about 96,000 inmates in 2018. The agency reported Wednesday that more than 42 inmates had tested positive for the coronavirus, and the Department of Health said there are more than 20,000 cases across Florida, including more than 600 people have died.Florida has the third-largest prison system in the country, according to the state Department of Corrections, with about 96,000 inmates in 2018. The agency reported Wednesday that more than 42 inmates had tested positive for the coronavirus, and the Department of Health said there are more than 20,000 cases across Florida, including more than 600 people have died.
“Judges, prosecutors and sheriffs around the country are facing difficult decisions during this health crisis with respect to balancing public health and public safety,” Sheriff Chad Chronister of Hillsborough County said in a statement. “Sheriffs in Florida and throughout our country have released nonviolent, low-level offenders to protect our deputies and the jail population from an outbreak.”“Judges, prosecutors and sheriffs around the country are facing difficult decisions during this health crisis with respect to balancing public health and public safety,” Sheriff Chad Chronister of Hillsborough County said in a statement. “Sheriffs in Florida and throughout our country have released nonviolent, low-level offenders to protect our deputies and the jail population from an outbreak.”
Mr. Williams was eligible for release before a judicial order authorized the release of certain county inmates, and was issued a bond of $2,500 for drug charges of possession of heroin, a third-degree felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a first-degree misdemeanor.Mr. Williams was eligible for release before a judicial order authorized the release of certain county inmates, and was issued a bond of $2,500 for drug charges of possession of heroin, a third-degree felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a first-degree misdemeanor.
As such, the sheriff’s office said Mr. Williams met the criteria outlined in the order, which authorized the office to release certain low-level offenders in response to the virus’s outbreak.As such, the sheriff’s office said Mr. Williams met the criteria outlined in the order, which authorized the office to release certain low-level offenders in response to the virus’s outbreak.
The Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, which represented Mr. Williams, said it would not comment on pending cases.The Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, which represented Mr. Williams, said it would not comment on pending cases.
Kevin Ring, the president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, an advocacy group, said that Mr. Williams’s case was an outlier among thousands of other cases of inmates released amid the pandemic.Kevin Ring, the president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, an advocacy group, said that Mr. Williams’s case was an outlier among thousands of other cases of inmates released amid the pandemic.
“It’s harder to quantify the successes,” he said. “Law enforcement is doing triage, and these sheriffs on the front lines are having to make tough calls. But they’re making calls that are going to save more lives than are lost.”“It’s harder to quantify the successes,” he said. “Law enforcement is doing triage, and these sheriffs on the front lines are having to make tough calls. But they’re making calls that are going to save more lives than are lost.”
He said that prisons were already under pressure, many overcrowded and understaffed, and that the pandemic has forced the authorities to make difficult decisions about how best to protect the most people.He said that prisons were already under pressure, many overcrowded and understaffed, and that the pandemic has forced the authorities to make difficult decisions about how best to protect the most people.
“It’s a tragedy, there’s no question, but to exploit it — to say that we can’t continue to do this kind of lifesaving triage that we’re doing across the criminal justice system — that would be a mistake,” he said.“It’s a tragedy, there’s no question, but to exploit it — to say that we can’t continue to do this kind of lifesaving triage that we’re doing across the criminal justice system — that would be a mistake,” he said.
Mr. Williams had a criminal history that included previous convictions for burglary of an unoccupied conveyance in 2012 and being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2018, according to the sheriff’s office.Mr. Williams had a criminal history that included previous convictions for burglary of an unoccupied conveyance in 2012 and being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2018, according to the sheriff’s office.
The office of the state attorney, Andrew H. Warren, said in a statement on Wednesday night: “Sadly, there are people who are going to take advantage of this emergency and the sacrifices that so many are making to confront this pandemic. This man will now face the full weight of the law because of that.”The office of the state attorney, Andrew H. Warren, said in a statement on Wednesday night: “Sadly, there are people who are going to take advantage of this emergency and the sacrifices that so many are making to confront this pandemic. This man will now face the full weight of the law because of that.”
Investigators have released few details about the killing, but have said they “do not believe this was a random act.”
Updated June 22, 2020Updated June 22, 2020
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Investigators have released few details about the killing, but have said they “do not believe this was a random act.”
The sheriff’s office said deputies responded on March 20 at about 10:40 p.m. to several 911 calls reporting gunshots in the Progress Village area of Tampa. Once there, they found a man with a gunshot wound and took him to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Mr. Williams was arrested and charged with murder this week.The sheriff’s office said deputies responded on March 20 at about 10:40 p.m. to several 911 calls reporting gunshots in the Progress Village area of Tampa. Once there, they found a man with a gunshot wound and took him to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Mr. Williams was arrested and charged with murder this week.
The order that authorized release of county inmates was issued by Ronald Ficarrotta, the chief judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court. It was one of many actions taken in recent weeks to release thousands of inmates across the country to try to slow the infection, to save lives as well as preserve medical resources.The order that authorized release of county inmates was issued by Ronald Ficarrotta, the chief judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court. It was one of many actions taken in recent weeks to release thousands of inmates across the country to try to slow the infection, to save lives as well as preserve medical resources.
“It’s certainly a tragedy, one which could not have been foreseen,” Judge Ficarrotta said in an interview on Wednesday. “I stand by the order. It was the right thing to do. It’s something we’ve done in the past when we’re facing a hurricane situation.”“It’s certainly a tragedy, one which could not have been foreseen,” Judge Ficarrotta said in an interview on Wednesday. “I stand by the order. It was the right thing to do. It’s something we’ve done in the past when we’re facing a hurricane situation.”
Jails, where social distancing is impossible and hand sanitizer is widely banned, have been hard hit by the coronavirus. Mr. Ring, the president of the advocacy group, said measures to ease the pressure on jails and prisons, many already overcrowded and understaffed, should go further still to protect people.Jails, where social distancing is impossible and hand sanitizer is widely banned, have been hard hit by the coronavirus. Mr. Ring, the president of the advocacy group, said measures to ease the pressure on jails and prisons, many already overcrowded and understaffed, should go further still to protect people.
“There are people who’ve been sitting in jail for 20 to 30 years, and are on walkers or are sick already, and are not a public safety threat,” he said. “They’re the most expensive to maintain and the least likely to reoffend. There’s no public safety benefit to keeping them there.”“There are people who’ve been sitting in jail for 20 to 30 years, and are on walkers or are sick already, and are not a public safety threat,” he said. “They’re the most expensive to maintain and the least likely to reoffend. There’s no public safety benefit to keeping them there.”