Sad news to report. The man we wrote about in last week’s weekly update (https://floridaactioncommittee.org/weekly-update-2018-07-10/) has died.
James Mills was in jail after being arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office on June 12 for failure to register as a sex offender. For a F***ing registration violation!!!
News reports state an autopsy will be done to “determine the cause of death”. Seriously?!? the man goes unresponsive and is on a feeding tube immediately after being beaten by another inmate and they need to determine what happened?
Rest in peace James Mills and may God have mercy on us all!
I was made to wear a neck band identifying myself as a child molester during my booking and bail process in 1992. I didn’t molest.
.. my crime non violent. i was isolated and then thrown into the jail populas. Thank god bond came quickly and I was never incarcerated again.
Sex Offenders imprisoned require special circumstances within housing a inmate. The privatisation of Prisons have lead to terrible violence and uncontrolled supervision. JEV
This not news to most of us that have been through the system but there is a wright up by the MO. ACLU with an interview with a former public defender named Chris from Farmington MO. Which to quote
“ Clients were encouraged to take plea deals regardless of their innocence because it was more expedient.”
“
“ Innocent people were going to jail.”He was forced to fail clients.”
Many of us have said this but it’s good to have an Attorney finally admit it. To bad the rest of the world doesn’t know it, or refuses to believe it.
Do you die for not renewing your Cosco or Sams Club membership ?
This is why I register everything and comply. Not because I can go to jail, but because I don’t want to be killed for a mere technicality. Sad but true.
I may be confusing this with another registrant beat in jail story… However, it is my understanding that an argument transpired of what was on TV and a fight ensued.
Regardless of what happened, it’s sad and completely unavoidable.
The news reports say it was over the TV remote.
Whether true or not, he was in jail for a registration violation and but for that he would not be dead.
The man that killed him was also in Jail for another lethal beatdown.
Agreed, he should not of been in Jail. However, we do not know of he was attacked because of a remote control or his label.
Should also be noted the man that killed him had 26 felony arrests.
I remember my experience when I was arrested and put in a non violent pod. I still feared for my life because like always the other inmates find out what your in for somehow, especially if you are a “sex offender”. I knew better than to say anything or do anything to bring attention to myself.
The problem is the general public does not know or understand the difference between a “Sex Offender” and “Sexual Predator”. The general Pop thinks both fall in the same category and as we know they dont.
I even had a problem in the past with a couple employers when the other guys found out. I definately feared for myself when we were almost throwing fists. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t condone Killing someone in a situation like this.
Same thing goes when you move into a new home, once they get this notice they think you are going to hurt there childern. They don’t understand you can get this title for something that has nothing to do with childern.
You might want to find out what it takes to be designated a ‘sexual offender’ and a ‘sexual predator’ in Florida. In Virginia, where my offenses took place, I was not a predator. When I moved to Florida I was designated a predator without committing a single additional offense. My ‘victim’ and I reconciled and she now only lives a few miles away from me here in Florida…she moved to Florida. “Titles” do not always reflect accurately the nature of the offense or the character of the offender.
Each State identifies Sex Offenses differently in your situation Florida DOC has a certain Code that comes closest to your specific charges. You can legally argue this with FDLE if you feel your crime has wrongly been identified.
I will do that once I am off of probation for saying “Good morning” to a neighborhood friend’s son…who was under 18…on a public sidewalk in broad daylight. A neighborhood ‘biddy’ didn’t like it and reported it. Both his parents and the boy took my side…in writing…but in Florida that means nothing. Additional probation is money in the Florida coffers.
Have your lawyer check out Kelly v Florida. They tried to do the same thing to me a I had that shit appealed.
Could you please be more specific on which Kelly v. Florida you are referring to. There is more than one in the state of Florida.
On a technicality violation…How is this not punishment ? Ridiculous.
It is sad and heart breaking that our society has come to these senseless acts.
You know it’s going to be determined death by natural causes. Or maybe he beat himself up to the point of unconsciousness.
I try to look at the positive side of life as much as I can…yes, it does exist. James is now, regrettably, in a better place and off the registry…maybe. Autopsy? He didn’t die from eating too much ice cream. Interesting to find out what Florida comes up with. When is this craziness going to end? It takes no time at all to put these senseless laws/ordinances in place, and years if ever to remove them.
rotten bastards i hope all those responsible for these inhumane laws all ROTT IN HELL!!!!
There are little words, only that we must fight for those who can and cannot… 🙁
Corrupt FDoC guards and politicians will answer for every aspect of this endless injustice. I hope his family sues hell outta the state and wins a huge settlement.
If we don’t do something NOW. I’m worried that it will be “Open Season” on ALL Ex Offenders !! Even us lucky enough to be walking the street !!!.
Yes it’s a sad day when you can be murdered because you have a label. When I was in jail the Corrections Officer would call out okay all you child molesters up front desk now. it didn’t matter if your crime was against a child or if it was for raping your wife you fell into the same category.
Without cameras or audio filming and recording the assault I don’t believe anyone will be held accountable for the death of this inmate. Very very sad.
Heartbreaking. May he Rest In Peace. Another reason why the registry is not affective.
Mom but you see in there eyes the registry is effective this is the outcome the perpetrators of the registry want . They can kill someone without any consequences by having someone do it that they can’t do anything to. This is the real purpose of the registry. In there eyes win — win .
Also if you want to read more about how money puts law enforcement into a feeding frenzy look at the write up in the Miami Herald under Lixmixell Batista a dancer at the Cheetah Club and her encounter with the Miami Dade Police .
Also Tara Mishra at Nj.com
It is a shame since this man was probably living a crime free life and goes to jail for a technicality and ends up beaten to death. Well they cannot do anything else to him. Prayers to the family he left behind, May God Bless them.