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Or "Why Law Enforcment Is Exempted From Magazine Bans", or perhaps "The Good News Is We Found Your SUV, The Bad News Is..."
The Palm Beach Post
SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2000
Krischer: Deputies firing shots after chase OK
Despite 93 shots, suspect killed self
By Scott McCabe
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
State Attorney Barry Krischer concluded Friday that Richard Lee Newton died at his own hand and that 12 sheriff's deputies were justified in firing at least 93 rounds at him during the final moments of a 30-minute car chase last fall.
Krischer also found that Lt. Rick Jenkins, who monitored the chase, correctly authorized deputies to shoot at Newton.
Newton, 26, was the prime suspect in the November slaying of a security guard when sherrif's deputies found him in a stolen Isuzu Rodeo at a Lake Worth Dunkin' Donuts. Without turning on the sirens, they followed him to Interstate 95. When Deputy John Newcomb pulled closer, Newton fired a pistol, twice striking Newcomb's windshield.
It was important that Newton was already dressed with a bulletproof vest and armed with two handguns, clips and a rifle, Krischer said.
"It would appear from the outset that the deceased had every intention of getting into a firefight with law enforcement," Krischer said. "Clearly it was only the hour of day, 1:10 to 1:40 a.m., that limited the potential of a tragedy of major proportions."
Newton fired at chasing cars and waiting patrolmen, leading police though Boynton Beach, Lake Worth and West Palm Beach until he reached a dead end behind a warehouse off Jog Road. In all, Newton struck four patrol vehicles nine times, a civilian car and deputy Laurie Pfeil in the leg.
When Newton stepped out of the Rodeo, at least five deputies say they heard a single gunshot and returned fire. At least 93 rounds were fired.
Newton fell back into the SUV and deputies approached, ordering Newton to remain still and show his hands. When he did not respond deputy Robert Schooley stuck the butt of the rifle through the passenger window, striking Newton in the face.
Newton still didn't respond, but was still moving when deputies removed him from the vehicle.
None of the deputies' shots struck Newton, according to Dr. Charles Siebert of the Palm Beach County Medical Examiners Office.
Siebert ruled that Newton shot himself with a handgun behind the right ear. He also suffered a cut and a broken nose, from the butt of Schooley's rifle. Cuts on his left arm and face were attributed to a K-9 dog during his removal from his vehicle.
Newton's mother, Barbara Newton, was too upset Friday by her son's death and declined comment.
Sherrif's office spokesman Paul Miller called Krischer's findings "tremendous."
"It was very dangerous. (Newton) was ready for war," Miller said, "He was not only ready to take his own life, but he was ready to take others'."
scott_mccabe@pbbost.com
The Palm Beach Post
SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2000
Krischer: Deputies firing shots after chase OK
Despite 93 shots, suspect killed self
By Scott McCabe
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
State Attorney Barry Krischer concluded Friday that Richard Lee Newton died at his own hand and that 12 sheriff's deputies were justified in firing at least 93 rounds at him during the final moments of a 30-minute car chase last fall.
Krischer also found that Lt. Rick Jenkins, who monitored the chase, correctly authorized deputies to shoot at Newton.
Newton, 26, was the prime suspect in the November slaying of a security guard when sherrif's deputies found him in a stolen Isuzu Rodeo at a Lake Worth Dunkin' Donuts. Without turning on the sirens, they followed him to Interstate 95. When Deputy John Newcomb pulled closer, Newton fired a pistol, twice striking Newcomb's windshield.
It was important that Newton was already dressed with a bulletproof vest and armed with two handguns, clips and a rifle, Krischer said.
"It would appear from the outset that the deceased had every intention of getting into a firefight with law enforcement," Krischer said. "Clearly it was only the hour of day, 1:10 to 1:40 a.m., that limited the potential of a tragedy of major proportions."
Newton fired at chasing cars and waiting patrolmen, leading police though Boynton Beach, Lake Worth and West Palm Beach until he reached a dead end behind a warehouse off Jog Road. In all, Newton struck four patrol vehicles nine times, a civilian car and deputy Laurie Pfeil in the leg.
When Newton stepped out of the Rodeo, at least five deputies say they heard a single gunshot and returned fire. At least 93 rounds were fired.
Newton fell back into the SUV and deputies approached, ordering Newton to remain still and show his hands. When he did not respond deputy Robert Schooley stuck the butt of the rifle through the passenger window, striking Newton in the face.
Newton still didn't respond, but was still moving when deputies removed him from the vehicle.
None of the deputies' shots struck Newton, according to Dr. Charles Siebert of the Palm Beach County Medical Examiners Office.
Siebert ruled that Newton shot himself with a handgun behind the right ear. He also suffered a cut and a broken nose, from the butt of Schooley's rifle. Cuts on his left arm and face were attributed to a K-9 dog during his removal from his vehicle.
Newton's mother, Barbara Newton, was too upset Friday by her son's death and declined comment.
Sherrif's office spokesman Paul Miller called Krischer's findings "tremendous."
"It was very dangerous. (Newton) was ready for war," Miller said, "He was not only ready to take his own life, but he was ready to take others'."
scott_mccabe@pbbost.com
, Art