Correction: We originally incorrectly reported the judges involved in this case. Judge Thomas Johnson handled the first appearance. Also the State Attorney’s office did object to the PTR.
This week’s cover story is on Escambia County’s Pre-Trial Release (Fortunate Felons). Judges should not be putting persons charged with dangerous crimes into PTR.
On May 11, Judge Thomas Johnson put Terry Lamar Beasley into Pre-Trial Release. Beasley is charged with Cruelty toward Child Abuse without great harm (a Third Degree Felony and considered Domestic Violence) and Resisting Arrest without violence (First Degree Misdemeanor). Under the latest Administrative Order just signed by Judge Skievaski and the Florida Statutes, Beasley shouldn’t be eligible for PTR.
According to the arrest report, the mother of the baby is the victim tried to leave her residence. Beasley refused to let her leave with the baby (age 2 months). When the deputies arrived, Beasley was lying in bed with the baby. When the deputies tried to take the baby, Beasley, who weighs 240 pounds, rolled over on top of the baby. The deputies had to forcibly pull Beasley off the baby to prevent him from smothering the infant to death.
The baby at first was crying, then a few seconds stopped moving and went limp. EMS arrived on the scene and was able to wake the baby. The mother refused to have the baby transported to the hospital to be checked out by medical personnel.
