Will there ever be Justice for Michelle O’Connell? Melvin Valimattathil Houston Community College Abstract The shooting in St. Augustine was a tragic event. An event that led to dishonesty and a loss of trust towards the Sheriffs Department. But most importantly; a loss of a human life. The life of Michelle O’Connell. Will there ever be Justice for Michelle O’Connell? The death of Michelle O’Connell still has me lost for words. After watching the documentary, I still can’t take a stand on either side. I agree with the department on not pressing charges toward officer Banks. An innocent man in jail is much worse than a guilt one who is not. The lack of professionalism showed by the Sheriff’s office is a key reason why this situation, is the way it is right now. If proper protocol was enforced maybe we could have had justified answer; Innocent or guilty? Due to the police “brotherhood” they took the situation lightly and turned it into a mess. No proper questioning or evidence was collected due this facet. A major factor was that Officer Banks was treated has if he was innocent a hundred and ten percent. The sheriff’s department should have questioned him and detained him like any other case. They questioned him in a squad car instead of in an office. They allowed other people to …show more content…
If the coroner couldn’t get a positive match why didn’t he get a second opinion from another source. Was it because he thought he was right? Or was it because he was told not to? If he took his time and really put in effort this case would have been much different. There was proof that his methods were sloppy and inaccurate; according to different autopsy specialists. His findings at first looked accurate but as soon as the case took a turn, it appeared to have many flaws. The coroner himself looked as if he was not familiar with weapons in general. Should this case have been given to a coroner with more expertise on guns and