Support for arrested Sheriff Finch growing - CNN iReport
This support led today’s fundraiser for the Sheriff to exceed capacity and spill into the lobbies around the conference hall. “Normally, higher ups try to cover up when one of their officers exceeds their authority. Normally, they’d just let an innocent man to go to jail. We finally get a sheriff that steps in and lets the innocent man go free and the state arrests him” said one attendee, a sentiment echoed by many. The crowd openly vilified FDLE for, as they see it, arresting a Sheriff that broke ranks with the code of silence and helped a citizen who was going to be arrested by an over-zealous deputy. It should be noted that under Florida law, a person is not required to have a concealed weapons permit to have a firearm in their vehicle.
Sheriff Finch refused a deal in which, in exchange for his resignation, all charges would be deferred. Jury selection is set to begin on September 30th.