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Fla. police chief at center of Trayvon Martin case fired

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    Sanford Commissioner Patty Mahany reacts

  • Duration 4:33
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Back -- -- one of our top stories today Sanford.

Florida police chief bill Lee was fired late yesterday.

He is the man who decided.

-- who originally was part of the team that looked into the train on -- killing.

After George Zimmerman shot and killed.

The unarmed team back in February.

-- in the -- for police department immediately came under fire for how they handled the investigation.

And there were calls for the chief to resign.

In March the city manager said chief we needed to go out need to be let -- so the city can quote move forward.

Then in April he tried to resign but a deeply divided city commission voted not to accept that resignation after a fiery debate.

Listen here to commissioner patty Haney she defended chief -- back then.

-- -- still want.

I'm yeah us here for those don't add no more now more enforcement tonight -- -- and tell us what the chief did wrong.

Joining me now once again patty -- -- patty welcome back to the program.

And so now chief Lee has been forced out.

Fired by the -- the commission.

Why.

Well.

Quite frankly -- -- it's it's it's almost it too long of a story to tell and they sort of a time if the political if the political situation Megan.

Our city manager had to fire police chief based on a 32 vote of no confidence.

Quite frankly.

At the time police chief -- was hired there were two commissioners to who adamantly opposed his hiring.

Suggested getting him hired was quite frankly.

A debacle to get through.

There there is one commissioner in particular -- -- -- for chiefly since the day he stepped -- to that office.

I think that the majority of our commission.

Really really looked past what's right and what's wrong and looked at at this from a political perspective and -- Quite frankly I think we have other commissioners do.

-- refuse to accept no matter how far away we get from from.

The incident and how deeply we get into looking at the facts.

We have commissioners to the jets refuse to accept it no matter how many times you explain why.

Why mr.

Zimmerman was not arrested that night there are commissioner's -- community members who just cannot understand or accept it but was it -- -- -- a decision not to arrest George Zimmerman or was it the original local district attorney who ultimately was replaced by the special prosecutor -- it was it was it was the original district state attorney mr.

Norman will singer.

Now that -- not like the united the incidents the investigator.

At the scene.

And chiefly when he arrived thought that in fact.

That that.

That it was not appropriate to -- -- -- in George Zimmerman made a claim of self defense nobody wanted to start that speech all the clock ticking.

That bit about two weeks later the Sanford police department prevented the evidence presented the evidence to mr.

wolf -- office.

Win -- recommend with a charging recommendation.

And state attorney we'll -- told him no we're not going to charge him.

So do you think at the end of the day.

This was this is politics they needed a fall guy for Sanford Florida and -- -- that.

Yes -- What's the story behind -- -- the last time we heard you UN you you know you went to the mattresses as they -- and -- -- father on -- -- -- people don't understand who we're dealing with here.

Yeah I still would do the same thing you know it's late -- -- a thirty year career law enforcement officer.

-- he's had a he's had a stellar career with 47 years with the with the Seminole county sheriff's department.

He also taught at seminal state college yes I had an absolute unblemished career he is a decorated officer he is an expert in community policing.

He is a truly honorable man who is loved by those in the law enforcement profession.

Our officers absolutely would follow chiefly -- where chief -- is the chief that they wanted the men and women.

You have to go out into the night and face the drug dealers and faced the criminals and face the dangers.

And -- day at the time for chiefly.

She -- been vilified and Megan.

Absolutely -- of the city manager mr.

bond apart has gotten what he -- -- -- gone patty thank you for being here.

Thank you --

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