Grand Jury Charges Officers with Manslaughter After Lengthy Investigation
A Broward County grand jury has indicted four Florida police officers for manslaughter charges stemming from a deadly 2019 shootout. The incident, which occurred on a busy rush hour street, claimed the lives of a hijacked UPS driver and a bystander.
Details of the Shooting and Charges
The December 5th, 2019 incident began with a robbery at a Coral Gables jewelry store. Following a shootout with police, the robbers fled in a stolen van, hijacking UPS driver Frank Ordonez, 27, during their escape. A high-speed chase ensued, ending tragically at a busy intersection in Fort Lauderdale.
Miami-Dade County Officer Rodolfo Mirabal, 39, faces two counts of manslaughter with a firearm for the deaths of Ordonez and Richard Cutshaw, 70, a union negotiator caught in the crossfire. Officers Jose Mateo, 32, Richard Santiesteban, 33, and Leslie Lee, 57, are indicted for manslaughter with a firearm in connection with Ordonez’s death only. None of the officers face charges related to the deaths of the robbers, Lamar Alexander and Ronnie Jerome Hill.
Florida Law and Potential Penalties
Florida law defines manslaughter as an unlawful killing committed through “culpable negligence,” a reckless disregard for human life. The maximum sentence for a manslaughter conviction is 30 years, although this is unlikely for first-time offenders. All four officers surrendered themselves and were released on bail.
Complexities of the Shootout
The high-pressure situation during the chase presented officers with a difficult choice. The robbers were firing from the van, endangering not only officers but also Ordonez, bystanders, and their passengers. Experts have acknowledged the officers’ need to contain the robbers and prevent further hostage-taking.
Uncommon Charges for Police
It is rare for Florida law enforcement officers to face charges for on-duty killings. In the past 40 years, only three such cases have resulted in indictments, with just one officer ultimately convicted.
