There have been two dog "attack" incidents with questionable response and action from our local sheriff.
The first story made a lot of rounds in the Facebook circles with the WCSO ultimately choosing to attempt to discredit the "third party" complainant, as opposed to really looking at the situation and taking action. Although it did make local media, it was not heavily reported.
The more recent story has gained the attention of the NW FL Daily News and in the article today, we now see some questionable actions on the part of the sheriffs office and a local judge.
Judge holds off signing warrant in dog fight case
In the Draper Lake Facebook Incident, two dogs were running free OFF LEASHES on the beach. Although the man the sheriff's office claims was defending himself, no one thought it was odd that this man, who was reported to be jogging, was concealing a baseball bat in his pants...really? Additionally, if he was so concerned about the loose dogs, why not call the WCSO and report them? (That's sort of a rhetorical question as most of you who have called WCSO to report dogs on the beach see little if any response...).
None the less, where is the ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEASH LAW?
Now, in an incident that is being reported to have a local pastor in the hospital with a "severely broken jaw" is also bringing forth the issue of UNLEASHED AND LOOSE DOGS. You don't let your animals off leashes, its commonsense. There is a County ordinance and if someone actually enforced it, we might not have these issues.
The more disturbing issue here is a man with a "severely broken jaw" and no arrest has been made. This is a very straight forward case of Felony Battery with great injury. Why is this such a hard thing to resolve?
Why is the Suspects Name not being released in the media but the victim's is?
Why is the sheriff making excuses such as "It was clearly the result of mass confusion" and "Fur and leashes were flying", instead of enforcing the laws that already exist (Leash Law and Felony Battery)?
Now a local judge wants to "make sure the victim wanted to proceed"? Is this normal practice for a judge or is does this have something to do with WHO the suspect is or that the victim is a pastor?
In closing, I have to wonder... Why was this same scenario not played out on the Beaches of Miramar Beach this past summer when a private property owner was immediately arrested for slapping away a tourists cell phone that was filling her on her property? I'm sure "there was mass confusion over the private beach" and that "sand was flying".
But no such comments from the sheriff. Just off to jail for the homeowner trying to defend her private property.
Replies
108
Banned
poppaj...the Sheriff will be happy to answer your questions. All you have to do is...
From WCSO
"YOU'VE GOT QUESTIONS, HE'S GOT ANSWERS
Have questions for Sheriff Michael Adkinson? Have a smartphone? Download the Periscope App and follow the Walton County Sheriff's Office as Sheriff Michael Adkinson goes live to answer YOUR questions on Periscope. He will talk everything from Ferguson to issues right here in Walton County. Post your questions in the comments below or just download the app and use the "Chat" feature to ask questions LIVE during our session with the Sheriff. A limited number of questions will be answered, but we hope to continue the real time question and answer on Periscope in the future."
From WCSO
"YOU'VE GOT QUESTIONS, HE'S GOT ANSWERS
Have questions for Sheriff Michael Adkinson? Have a smartphone? Download the Periscope App and follow the Walton County Sheriff's Office as Sheriff Michael Adkinson goes live to answer YOUR questions on Periscope. He will talk everything from Ferguson to issues right here in Walton County. Post your questions in the comments below or just download the app and use the "Chat" feature to ask questions LIVE during our session with the Sheriff. A limited number of questions will be answered, but we hope to continue the real time question and answer on Periscope in the future."
Beach FanaticAuthor
While your on his Periscope App, you can also ask about the large amount of deputy turn over this past year.
Some deputies say that the "emperor has no clothes", and like the fable, this may be true. Too busy being a politician.
This horrible incident (dog attack), is just one example of things very poorly handled by this administration. There are others as well, but they never make it to the public eye for consumption. That's why WCSO has so many high ranking and high paid staff that sit up in DeFuniak and run damage control.
They need to be out on the streets patrolling and dealing with crime, like this dog attack!
Some deputies say that the "emperor has no clothes", and like the fable, this may be true. Too busy being a politician.
This horrible incident (dog attack), is just one example of things very poorly handled by this administration. There are others as well, but they never make it to the public eye for consumption. That's why WCSO has so many high ranking and high paid staff that sit up in DeFuniak and run damage control.
They need to be out on the streets patrolling and dealing with crime, like this dog attack!
Beach FanaticAuthor
Felony charges filed in dog fight attack on pastor
NW FL Daily must have an inside source to have obtained this so quickly...
wink wink Tom...
NW FL Daily must have an inside source to have obtained this so quickly...
wink wink Tom...
Posted Dec. 30, 2015 at 12:56 PM
Updated at 1:07 PM
The man who broke the jaw of popular South Walton pastor Tom Guido with a punch to the face has been charged with felony battery.
County Judge David Green signed a warrant late Tuesday afternoon for the arrest of Torey Geile, according to Greg Anchors, chief assistant state attorney for Walton County.Geile, a roofing contractor and engineer with Destin Roofing Inc., had retained counsel and turned himself in at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to an official at the Walton County Jail.
He could not be reached for comment Wednesday prior to being placed into custody.Green had waited a full week before signing the arrest warrant. He wanted to know Guido was willing to proceed with pressing charges, Anchors said.
As the case hung in limbo, a handful of residents of the subdivision where the pastor and Geile’s family walk their dogs called the Daily News to express concerns about the incident that led ultimately to the arrest.
All of them said Geile was the clear aggressor in the dog fight dispute that resulted in a single devastating punch being thrown to Guido’s face.
Both Anchors and Sheriff Michael Adkinson said Wednesday it was clear to them by the time the warrant was actually signed that charges against Geile were justified.
“Whatever explanation he had for hitting (Guido), he wasn’t justified under the circumstances,” Anchors said.
Guido, pastor of Resurrection Catholic Church in Miramar Beach, and neighbor Edward Fincke were walking their dogs early Dec. 19 when two big dogs, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, belonging to the Geiles ran up on them.
Geile’s wife had been walking the dogs and they got loose when she let go of their leashes, reports said.
The woman and Guido were trying to pull the Ridgebacks off the pastor’s aging Labrador Retriever when Geile ran up and delivered what was described by one witness as a “haymaker.”
Guido told a 911 dispatcher after the punch was thrown that he’d been “cold cocked.”
“While there was a high level of confusion, we do not believe Mr. Geile used prudent judgment given the totality of the circumstances,” Adkinson said Wednesday. “We believe there was sufficient time for him to slow down and make a better decision.”Guido suffered a broken jaw severe enough that he had to be hospitalized.
Edited
Beach FanaticAuthor
“While there was a high level of confusion, we do not believe Mr. Geile used prudent judgment given the totality of the circumstances,” Adkinson said Wednesday. “We believe there was sufficient time for him to slow down and make a better decision.”
Apparently this was obvious to almost everyone except the Sheriff...
Apparently this was obvious to almost everyone except the Sheriff...
Banned
You have the experience and insight we lack when it comes to matters concerning WCSO so I sincerely hope you are correct in asking for patience. Let's all hope they are actually conducting a thorough investigation and are gathering the evidence to present a solid case against this man.
According to the link posted by John G the delay in the warrant was by Judge Green himself who wanted to make sure the victim wanted to proceed with prosecution. Obviously the evidence is solid....now lets hope he is convicted. If so, he won't be carrying guns anymore!!
Edited
SoWal Insider
According to the link posted by John G the delay in the warrant was by Judge Green himself who wanted to make sure the victim would prosecute. Obviously the evidence is solid....now lets hope he is convicted. If so, he won't be carrying guns anymore!!Heavy sarcasm - yes, because the NRA has helped make it so hard for a convicted felon to get a gun in this country. It's not like just "anybody" can buy a weapon from an individual or a gun show.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Let's be clear about the circumstances, at least when it comes to my opinion on this.
1) An arrest should have been effected at the scene on the day of the incident! It was a Felony Battery with serious bodily injury. IMO, and from what others have posted, an arrest should have been made and the court system (to include the State Attorney) could have sorted it out. Had that happened, no drama our outcry from the community. Why no arrest was made on scene is unknown, outside of silly quotes from the sheriff about the "fur flying..."
2) Judge David Green did not sign the warrant after it was approved by the State Attorney. This is another area of contention and the judge definitely should explain his logic / reason for this. It's obvious the State wanted to push the arrest through and eliminate any liability they may have for not taking action as they submitted the warrant.
The suspect was allowed to turn himself in this morning and a bond had already been set. He was in and out quickly.
It is situations like this, where arrests should be made on scene and then judge gets the Christmas Spirit and muddies up the waters more, that have people wonder "who does this guy know to not be arrested?"
Add that to silly on scene arrests like that of a private property owners on the beach for slapping a cell phone out of tourists hands and its no wonder our Sheriffs Administration gets criticized.
1) An arrest should have been effected at the scene on the day of the incident! It was a Felony Battery with serious bodily injury. IMO, and from what others have posted, an arrest should have been made and the court system (to include the State Attorney) could have sorted it out. Had that happened, no drama our outcry from the community. Why no arrest was made on scene is unknown, outside of silly quotes from the sheriff about the "fur flying..."
2) Judge David Green did not sign the warrant after it was approved by the State Attorney. This is another area of contention and the judge definitely should explain his logic / reason for this. It's obvious the State wanted to push the arrest through and eliminate any liability they may have for not taking action as they submitted the warrant.
The suspect was allowed to turn himself in this morning and a bond had already been set. He was in and out quickly.
It is situations like this, where arrests should be made on scene and then judge gets the Christmas Spirit and muddies up the waters more, that have people wonder "who does this guy know to not be arrested?"
Add that to silly on scene arrests like that of a private property owners on the beach for slapping a cell phone out of tourists hands and its no wonder our Sheriffs Administration gets criticized.
Beach Comber
#591
Latest update to NWF Daily News shows mugshot
Beach Crab
It's just too bad any of this had to happen...
SWGB
Doesn't mention WHO is representing the accused...
Beach Lover
This is a classic example of public outcry making a difference, not just on SOWAL but across the community. This is why freedom of speech is so important and the only real option unless you are foolish or stupid enough to take the law in your own hands. Public outcry pushed our elected officials to do the right thing even if they were reluctant to do so. We must do this with more issues that affect us and our everyday life, unfortunately if your issue has to do with the county government you will only be given 3 minutes to do so by the BCC. This is their way of implementing a gag policy on citizen concerns. Think of a serious issue and then stand in front of the mirror with a timer and see if you can present it and explain your issue in three minutes. I have seen developers given hours to present their side to the BCC while the affected property owners are given 3 minutes to defend it. I call this the Emfeld rule and now it can be known as the Comander rule. The BCC chair has the ability to let people speak as long as they need, but they refuse to do so. As long as a citizen stays on point, they should be allowed as long as they need to present their concerns. The right to address grievances before government should be considered sacred and not hampered or restricted by local policy. Watch a BCC meeting tape and see how many times a lawyer is told they are out of time, almost never. But if your an average citizen you be told to have a seat. At least it was 5 minutes before, Emfeld and Comander have cut it to three. Pretty soon you will only be allowed to stand up and say "I object" just to say they let you speak. Cherish and guard your freedoms carefully or one day you will wake up and have none. These rights were granted to us and paid for with the blood of our forefathers, don't let apathy and silence take what was paid for so dearly. My bill was paid for by my great uncles on Iwo Jima and in North Africa and I don't take those rights they gave me lightly as they both paid the ultimate sacrifice. At age 17 and 20 they both knew why and what they were fighting for. I never met them, but I proudly display their pictures in my house. To those that spoke up on this issue, I applaud you!
Edited
Beach Fanatic
The involvement of the community is always a good thing and it is good to see that people can make a difference. But it is also fair to say that so far the system has worked and hopefully the system will produce justice. While most of the drama could have been avoided by an arrest being made at the scene as is both legal and appropriate, how it has played out so far is also legal and appropriate. Since an arrest was not made at the time of the incident, there is nothing wrong with taking a little time to make sure everything is correct. And just because law enforcement/state attorneys sign off on a warrant does not mean a judge does not have the absolute right to sign or not. As far as bail, you are innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law and you have a right to a reasonable bail. Pretrial incarceration is not meant as punishment.
The system is slow but is working and lets see where it leads.
The system is slow but is working and lets see where it leads.
Beach Lover
Sorry Danny, I don't believe anything would have come of it unless the public had spoken out. Look thru past threads on public issues and you will see that Walton County has a poor track record of doing the right thing. Don't get me wrong, I agree that he is innocent until proven guilty by a Jury or Judge, but really Danny as a former police officer how many times have you taken somebody to jail for DUI that could hardly stand up. Their blood alcohol was probably off the chart above .08 but technically they were innocent until convicted of DUI. Didn't you still remove them from the highway even though they hadn't been convicted yet? When the sheriff arrived and someone was laying there with a broken jaw, they should have been taken into custody immediately. THEN the system should have been allowed to determine if a felony had been committed or not. I personally don't think a picture of you in an orange jumpsuit should be released to the public until after the conviction, then by all means you can print it on Christmas cards as far as I'm concerned. Being charged for an alleged crime is not a punishment in my opinion, but being put on display in an orange jump suit before conviction surely is.(it will never be removed from social media) His picture should have only been released in regular clothes. I've seen domestic violence offenders taken to jail over scratches and this guy went home after sucker punching a pastor and sending him to surgery. Handcuffs and the ride of shame in the patrol car were surely appropriate. Somebody was on this guys side from the get go in my opinion and notice I've had little to say about this until the arrest was made.
Beach Lover
There is no more powerful instrument than this forum. I've seen it and heard it time and time again. Not everyone reads it but everyone hears about it. And for every person posting here there are a thousand more simply reading who don't post. Thank you SoWal.com.
Beach Comber
Let's be clear about the circumstances, at least when it comes to my opinion on this.
@John G - did he already make bail/bond and is he out??
Banned
hmmm
Beach Fanatic
Sorry Danny, I don't believe anything would have come of it unless the public had spoken out. Look thru past threads on public issues and you will see that Walton County has a poor track record of doing the right thing. Don't get me wrong, I agree that he is innocent until proven guilty by a Jury or Judge, but really Danny as a former police officer how many times have you taken somebody to jail for DUI that could hardly stand up. Their blood alcohol was probably off the chart above .08 but technically they were innocent until convicted of DUI. Didn't you still remove them from the highway even though they hadn't been convicted yet? When the sheriff arrived and someone was laying there with a broken jaw, they should have been taken into custody immediately. THEN the system should have been allowed to determine if a felony had been committed or not. I personally don't think a picture of you in an orange jumpsuit should be released to the public until after the conviction, then by all means you can print it on Christmas cards as far as I'm concerned. Being charged for an alleged crime is not a punishment in my opinion, but being put on display in an orange jump suit before conviction surely is.(it will never be removed from social media) His picture should have only been released in regular clothes. I've seen domestic violence offenders taken to jail over scratches and this guy went home after sucker punching a pastor and sending him to surgery. Handcuffs and the ride of shame in the patrol car were surely appropriate. Somebody was on this guys side from the get go in my opinion and notice I've had little to say about this until the arrest was made.
I agree that it could have been handled differently at the time. I am guessing the suspect fled the scene and the deputy was unable to locate him. So he turned in a report and submitted a warrant to the State Attorney. That is standard procedure. Once the SA signed off they sent the warrant to the judge for review which is also standard procedure. The judge in his discretion decided to hold off on signing it. It sounds like there was not a signed affidavit of complaint. Those are not necessary in felony cases but judges usually like to have them if possible. So they made sure the victim wished to proceed and the judge signed the warrant. Bail was set per standard procedure and the arrest was made. So lets see how things proceed from here. If this had been my case I would not have been happy about the delay and I would not have been happy the suspect did not have to take the ride in the back seat but that doesn't mean anyone did anything wrong. Sometimes things just go this way. It is good to see the community get involved and show interest and concern about what happens around them.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Patriot Games is 110% correct.
Danny, while you make some good points and are factual in the legal system process, its time to stop defending the sheriff's administration and the mistake they made in handling this case.
Without SoWal and the calls to Sheriff Mike by the community, this would have not happened yesterday.
Go back and look at the Stephen Ruder DUI case. Another example of a mistake on the part of sheriff's administration. He would NEVER been charged if not for public outcry.
None of us are perfect, we all make mistakes. The sheriff's administration has made mistakes under Adkinson, but they are too arrogant to admit when they do.
When is the last time they have simply said; we made a mistake and are taking the appropriate steps to correct it?
NEVER.
By the way, who the accused's Attorney?
Danny, while you make some good points and are factual in the legal system process, its time to stop defending the sheriff's administration and the mistake they made in handling this case.
Without SoWal and the calls to Sheriff Mike by the community, this would have not happened yesterday.
Go back and look at the Stephen Ruder DUI case. Another example of a mistake on the part of sheriff's administration. He would NEVER been charged if not for public outcry.
None of us are perfect, we all make mistakes. The sheriff's administration has made mistakes under Adkinson, but they are too arrogant to admit when they do.
When is the last time they have simply said; we made a mistake and are taking the appropriate steps to correct it?
NEVER.
By the way, who the accused's Attorney?
SoWal Insider
Doesn't mention WHO is representing the accused...It has to be either Steve Dallas or Lionel Hutz.
Beach Fanatic
John G I am not defending anyone. But being fair is important to me whether I agree or not. And I think it is important for everyone to understand the process.
SoWal Insider
John G I am not defending anyone. But being fair is important to me whether I agree or not. And I think it is important for everyone to understand the process.Let's also hope he gets a fair trial. Even though the tar is hot and the feathers are being plucked, I still want this man treated fairly in every step of the process. There could be some surprising facts about his behavior none of us are aware of.
SoWal Insider
Heard today Torey and his dogs had also been causing some problems in over in Bayside Subdivision.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Surprisingly (to me), this epic failure by The Sheriff's Administration, under Adkinson, as well as Judge, D. Green, has made the front page of my favorite fish wrapper, the Walton Sun.
While normally this free rag of paper sits decaying on neighborhood drive ways and clogging storm drains, this Front Page story may put it back into favor with those that don't want the usual unicorns and rainbows B.S.
From what is reported, neighbors are afraid to walk their dogs in the Bayside Community. Nice, fear to go out and walk a dog...
Perhaps the fifedom of the Sheriff can use its Animal Control Division to look into these issues and serve the community as opposed to making excuses.
This entire situation is simply ridiculous and the quote in a previous article should have been; "there was so much B.S. flying...", not about the "fur flying" as stated by our sheriff...
Let your PIO comment next time your office steps in the dog poop Sheriff...
While normally this free rag of paper sits decaying on neighborhood drive ways and clogging storm drains, this Front Page story may put it back into favor with those that don't want the usual unicorns and rainbows B.S.
From what is reported, neighbors are afraid to walk their dogs in the Bayside Community. Nice, fear to go out and walk a dog...
Perhaps the fifedom of the Sheriff can use its Animal Control Division to look into these issues and serve the community as opposed to making excuses.
This entire situation is simply ridiculous and the quote in a previous article should have been; "there was so much B.S. flying...", not about the "fur flying" as stated by our sheriff...
Let your PIO comment next time your office steps in the dog poop Sheriff...
Beach Comber
Latest News on the attack. Pastor out of commission following attack
Beach Lover
Just thought I’d give an update on Father Tom’s condition and how he is doing. Over the last two Sundays he has been present at mass; unfortunately due to the fact that his speech is limited he was unable to totally participate in the celebration only to help the visiting priest say mass.
The Miramar Beach Community and members of Resurrection Catholic Church have been devastated to say the least. Father Tom and Bridget’s his Golden Labrador Retriever are local icons in the community. Everyone enjoys visiting with Bridget while Father Tom walks her daily. I’ve always noticed that anyone in the Miramar Beach area has no problem talking with Father Tom and receiving counseling regardless of their religious faith.
Father Tom thanked the people at church today for their ongoing prayers he looks forward to the day where he can have a steak dinner. He has lost 25 pounds due to this ordeal and would not recommend this kind of diet to anyone. He is in good spirits looking for the day that has jaw is un-wired. Again please keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery.
The Miramar Beach Community and members of Resurrection Catholic Church have been devastated to say the least. Father Tom and Bridget’s his Golden Labrador Retriever are local icons in the community. Everyone enjoys visiting with Bridget while Father Tom walks her daily. I’ve always noticed that anyone in the Miramar Beach area has no problem talking with Father Tom and receiving counseling regardless of their religious faith.
Father Tom thanked the people at church today for their ongoing prayers he looks forward to the day where he can have a steak dinner. He has lost 25 pounds due to this ordeal and would not recommend this kind of diet to anyone. He is in good spirits looking for the day that has jaw is un-wired. Again please keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery.
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