Judge dissmisses suits against Sheriff over fatal Mitchell shooting

A judge exonerated the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and two of its officers last month in the shooting death of a man who was allegedly trying to flee a traffic stop in 2012. 

On Nov. 19, according to a memo from County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh’s office, Federal District Judge James Whittemore entered a summary judgement against Rodney Mitchell’s estate, in favor of the Sheriff’s office and two deputies involved in the shooting.

Plaintiffs had accused the Sheriff’s office of wrongful death, violations of the Federal Civil Rights Act, battery and negligence. In 2014, they added allegations of tampering with video surveillance footage taken from a nearby Xpress Lube.

The two officers involved, Sgt. Troy Sasse and Adam Shaw, both shot at Mitchell, 23, as he attempted to drive away from a traffic stop near 2720 N. Washington Blvd. in June 2012. Mitchell died as a result.

According to the memo, the court entered its summary judgment after determining that Sasse was near enough the vehicle and, given the circumstances, officers could have perceived Mitchell’s car was being used as a deadly weapon. All claims against the defendants were dismissed.