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July 25, 2008 12:48:39 PM CDT

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Staff Acquitted in Boot Camp Youth Death

Posted Oct 12, 07 6:45 PM CDT in US 

(Newser) – In a case that led to reforms in the state's controversial juvenile justice system, eight former Florida boot camp workers were acquitted of manslaughter today in the death of a 14-year-old boy. "You kill a dog, you go to jail. You kill a little black boy and nothing happens," said the family's lawyer, echoing the frustrations of many outside the courthouse.

Videotape of Martin Lee Anderson being kicked and punched was entered into evidence  during the 3-week trial, but the guards, who faced sentences of up to 30 years, argued they were following the facility's rules. Jurors deliberated for 90 minutes before returning their verdicts. The case led to passage of the Martin Lee Anderson, which scrapped juvenile boot camps.

Source Associated Press

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Gina Jones, left, her lawyer Benjamin Crump and Robert Anderson, right, prepare to make a public statement concerning the verdict in the Martin Lee Anderson trial Friday. Jones the mother of Martin Anderson...   (Associated Press)
A family member of one of the defendants in the Martin Lee Anderson Boot Camp trial broke down and wept as the not guilty verdicts were read on Friday. A six-person jury acquitted all of the defendants...   (Associated Press)
Defense attorney Robert Sombathy points to a portion of the enhanced video showing inmate Martin Lee Anderson, in center of screen, during the trial of eight former Bay County (Fla.) boot camp employees...   (Associated Press)
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