Star Witness: Guard Captain Shocked Inmate
Former Guard Says Valdes Offered No Resistance
Raymon Hanson (pictured, left), testifying in the trial of four guards charged with Frank Valdes' murder, said the device Capt. Timothy Thornton used left no marks.He didn't say what Valdes did when he was shocked, but said the inmate offered no resistance throughout the July 17, 1999, brawl.Hanson was more subdued than he was two years ago when he gave a sobbing videotaped statement about what happened when guards allegedly attacked the inmate as they removed him from his X-wing cell.During that statement he testified that guards had punched and kicked Valdes and then later lied about their actions in their use-of-force reports.But in Tuesday's testimony, Hanson said he could not see much when officers rushed into Valdes' cell.Hanson admitted kicking Valdes in the buttocks and said Sgt. Charles Brown had given Valdes "a very violent kick in the midsection, four times that I saw."Hanson, who has been given immunity from prosecution, said he didn't do anything to stop the violent cell extraction.
"I didn't want to be labeled an inmate lover," he said.Thornton, 36; Brown 28; Sgt. Jason Griffis, 28; and Sgt. Andrew Lewis, 31, are charged with second-degree murder for the death of Valdes, 36. An autopsy showed Valdes suffered 22 broken ribs and a broken jaw, sternum, collarbone, shoulder, spine and nose.Prosecutors say Valdes, sentenced to death for murdering a Palm Beach County prison guard, was beaten because he was planning to give the media evidence that the guards were mistreating inmates.
The guards say Valdes (pictured, left) might have hurt himself by flinging himself off his bars onto the concrete floor, or he might have been killed by four other guards set to stand trial later this year.Hanson's testimony contradicted that of inmate Steven Porkolab, who testified Tuesday that he had cleaned up puddles of blood after Valdes was rolled to the clinic on a garbage cart after the cell extraction.Hanson said Valdes had a bloody nose and some bruises, but said there was little blood. He did not believe Valdes had any life-threatening injuries.| Video |
- January 29, 2002: Inmate: Saw Valdes After Guards Allegedly Beat Him
- January 25, 2002: Deposition: Sobbing Former Guard Says Valdes Was Beaten
- January 18, 2002: Medical Examiner Testifies In Inmate Death Trial
- January 16, 2002: Opening Statements Begin In Prisoner-Death Trial
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.







A late-season tropical system lost hurricane strength this morning as it heads for the Gulf Coast, but could still pack high winds and storm surges when it comes ashore early tomorrow.
It was standing room only at Sunday's memorial service for a brother and sister authorities said were killed by their father, who then took his own life.
An 11-year-old Gainesville girl called 911 and helped her mom deliver her newborn baby sister when the big moment came before they could get to the hospital.
A U.S. Army hospital spokesman says the man suspected in a deadly shooting spree at Fort Hood, Texas, is conscious and able to talk.
A central Florida television station reports that a man accused of fatally shooting his wife inside their mansion attended the woman's memorial service this weekend.
Crime scene investigators took video of inside Quinn Gray's home the night she was reported missing. Detectives were looking for evidence. Gray claimed she was forced from her home at gunpoint and cops considered it a crime scene.
Sept. 9, 2008: Ponte Vedra Beach mother Quinn Gray describes her very physical relationship with the man she said abducted her.
Police said Osmanovic and Gray spent several nights at a south metro motel, and on one particular morning, Osmanovic wore a recording device and said he was going back to the hotel room to be with Gray.
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office arrested 34 people Friday morning in connection with illegal narcotics transactions.
SEE IT, SNAP IT, SEND IT: Thousands of eyes and nearly as many cameras pointed toward the sky over Jacksonville's beaches this weekend for the Sea & Sky Spectacular.
Top-dollar designs don't always provide a good return for the rich and famous. Check out which celebs were caught in fashion flops.
Quinn Gray showed investigators marks on her arms and legs she said were the result of her kidnapping.
Slideshow
An 800 square foot mobile home in Nassau County was destroyed by fire Tuesday night. Both residents in the home escaped safely.
Capturing N.E. Florida's wanted suspects is a tough task, so the local station is trying to help with the Wheel of Justice. Every Thursday morning, the wheel spins and a wanted fugitive is profiled.
Images: Fugitives On 'Wheel'