No prison for officer in fatal citizens academy exercise
Posted October 16, 2019 4:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — A former Florida police officer who accidentally shot and killed a woman during a citizens academy exercise will serve no prison time.
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that 31-year-old Lee Coel pleaded no contest Wednesday to second-degree manslaughter as part of a deal with prosecutors.
A Lee County judge withheld adjudication of guilt and sentenced Coel to 10 years of probation. He must also make restitution and has agreed not to seek employment as a police officer.
Coel was working for the Punta Gorda Police Department in August 2016 when authorities say he mistakenly shot and killed 73-year-old Mary Knowlton during a role-playing scenario. Coel was fired in March 2017, shortly after being criminally charged.
Knowlton’s husband and son attended Wednesday’s hearing to voice their opposition to the plea agreement.
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Information from: Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune, http://www.heraldtribune.com
The Associated Press
