Crime & Public Safety
Jury Clears Former Deputy in Panama City Trial; State Attorney Issues Statement
A jury in Panama City found former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Eddie Duran not guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in the death of United States Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson. The verdict was announced in a statement released by the State Attorney’s Office on the day of the verdict.
According to the State Attorney’s release, prosecutors presented the case to a jury after a “thorough review” and believed the evidence warranted presentation. The office said the not-guilty finding means the State did not prove the criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of every juror. The statement thanked jurors, investigators, witnesses, court personnel, and attorneys who participated in the proceedings.
The State Attorney’s Office noted that Senior Airman Fortson was 23 and served with the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, and extended sympathy to his family and the Air Force community. The release acknowledged that the verdict may cause pain, anger, or disappointment for some members of the community and urged responses to be peaceful and respectful of the family’s privacy.
The office also commented on the broader context of use-of-force accountability, saying that presenting disputed evidence to a jury is part of independent review and essential to public trust. The State Attorney’s Office stated it accepts the jury’s decision and emphasized respect for the jury’s service.
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All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.