Investigation suspended, no arrests so far in Memorial Day brawl at Jacksonville Beach

Various cell phone videos have been played it seems on a loop by local television stations and on news websites of a Memorial Day brawl at Jacksonville Beach that prompted increased security and town hall meetings for residents concerned about safety. But it now appears all of that attention and video was not enough to gather the evidence needed to charge anyone in the incident, including a beating on video that left one man with a dislocated shoulder and other injuries, according to a report in the Florida Times-Union. Police said they are confident they know who some of the key players are, thought to be Jacksonville gang members, but they can’t with certainty identify them, the newspaper reported.

The fights involved between 10 and 15 men in their late teens and early 20s, but none of the witnesses have been cooperative in their discussions with police, the newspaper reported. A video pulled from someone’s Facebook page simply is not enough to put together a Jacksonville Battery Case and prove it beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury. Police would need some sort of witness who could say they saw the suspect participate in the fight, which apparently not even the victim is able or willing to do. This Jacksonville Battery Case is a prime example of the role witnesses play in criminal cases and how uncooperative victims or witnesses can stall and end a case. One common example, though it often doesn’t have the media interest or attention generated by these public videos, is domestic violence. Oftentimes, someone will call the police out of fear or to try to end the situation immediately, but, when it comes time to press charges, the victim does not want to. If, in fact, these Memorial Day fights are gang-related, that could explain why people aren’t saying much that would push this Jacksonville Battery Case forward. Retaliation for speaking to the police in a case like this could create problems for witnesses and many may feel it’s just not worth it to come forward. The charges in this Jacksonville Battery Case would appear to be misdemeanors, meaning those prosecuted would face a maximum of one year in the county jail.

This Jacksonville Battery Case may not be over though. Police could be putting this suspension story out in the media as a way to try to get other witnesses to come forward. Technically, because this Jacksonville Battery Case is a first-degree misdemeanor, the state would have two years to file a charge. It is not expected to take that long in this Jacksonville Battery Case, but this would be a good time for people who know they could be suspects to contact a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney. Getting a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney on board early can help you or your loved one understand the process and prepare you for how the case may develop. If there is a situation where an arrest is forthcoming, a Jacksonville Battery Attorney can help it go as smoothly as possible to prevent police from showing up at a client’s workplace and making a big scene.

If you or a loved one needs a criminal defense attorney in Jacksonville or the surrounding area, call The Mussallem Law Firm at (904) 365-5200 for a FREE CONSULTATION. Our Duval County Violent Crimes Attorney, Victoria “Tori” Mussallem, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.