Jax Hostage Situation Ends When Judge "Resigns"

[Ksyrup]

We work with a firm in this building, so this became pretty big news today. The Judge actually went on live TV and "resigned" in order to meet the suspect's demands - which wasn't binding, of course. A completely clueless reporter actually asked whether it was binding, to which the Judge rightly referred the reporter to the county attorney. How stupid can you be, to put a guy's life in danger, with a question like that?

Parcells needed to be at this press conference...


Southbank Tower Hostage Released After Judge Resigns

POSTED: 12:17 PM EDT August 4, 2004
UPDATED: 3:15 PM EDT August 4, 2004



JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A hostage situation at the Riverplace Tower on the Southbank ended just after 1 p.m., about 90 minutes after a man allegedly armed with a gun and a bomb took an attorney hostage.

That suspect called Mayor John Peyton and demanded the resignation of a county judge.

Sheriff, Mayor Describe Hostage Situation

The 28-story building was evacuated when police learned that an attorney with Rogers-Towers Attorneys At Law was being held on the 13th floor.

Minutes before hostage incident ended, Duval County Judge Sharon Tanner came to the scene and announced live on Channel 4 that she was resigning.

Sheriff John Rutherford said that the suspect's demanded that Tanner go on live television and resign "or there would be consequences."

"Effective immediately, I do hereby resign my position as county judge," Duval County Judge Tanner said live on Channel 4. "The judge ... handled a chase that involved the suspect," Peyton said. "She ... was very cooperative and wanted to do something that was in the interest of public safety, and she did that."

The hostage was released and the suspect gave up when he heard that Tanner had agreed to resign.

Jacksonville General Counsel Rick Mullaney told Channel 4 that Tanner's resignation is not binding.

Peyton said that while he knew the hostage, now identified as Chris Hazelip, but the suspect called him because he was the highest ranking official in the city.

"I was on the phone with this suspect for 45 minutes, trying to keep him on the phone and keep him calm," Peyton said.

Just after 2 p.m., the bomb squad finished sweeping the building for explosive devices and police reopened the building, but many of the people who work inside had been sent home for the day.

Just before noon, everyone inside the building was told over the building's public address system to leave the building, but not use the elevators.

A manager with Southtrust bank told Channel 4's Bruce Hamilton that everyone was asked to leave "as quickly as possible."

Several hundred people, including children from a day-care center, have left the building 28-story building. Jefferson said the children were taken into the Radisson Hotel about two blocks away.

The SWAT team and bomb squad entered the building and swept every floor. Police diverted traffic from Riverplace Boulevard from in front of the building and police asked the media to back up from the area.

Construction workers at an adjoining work site were also asked to leave.

Channel 4's Scott Johnson said everyone coming out of the building was confused about why they were leaving but were calm. He said that as the children were leaving, they passed heavily armed SWAT team members headed toward the building.

[rkmsuf]

where are we finding these hostage takers? what a moron. didn't he realize the judge had his fingers crossed?

[Samdari]

In the near future, I see some 14 year old taking hostages demanding that his teacher/lover be released.

[Flasch186]

I live in this city and there is no shortage of morons here

[GrantDawg]

It could have been worse. The reporter could have asked, "Since we all know this not binding, why are you lying to this man? Do you think he ought to set off the bomb?"

[rkmsuf]

Reporter: "Do you really think the hostage taker is going to buy this? Is that what you were hoping when you agreed to his demand? Our viewers want to know..."

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by Samdari

In the near future, I see some 14 year old taking hostages demanding that his teacher/lover be released.

pix pls thx

[NoMyths]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

pix pls thx

How the mighty have fallen.

[Ksyrup]

That was QS' annual "I'm just one of the guys" posts. He'll be back to posting above our heads later today.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by NoMyths

How the mighty have fallen.

Funny watching the elitists turn on their own...

[judicial clerk]

Report: "Judge, we all know that your resignation is not binding. Aren't you afraid that he will see your behavior as the slap in the face that it is? Don't you think he will detonate his bomb like a real man? Are you counting on him wussing out like he has done all of his life up to now?

[NoMyths]

Originally Posted by Franklinnoble

Funny watching the elitists turn on their own...

Oh, I wasn't turning on him. That was the forum equivalent of a nudge and a smile.

I'm sure he'll have his revenge in FOFL next week against me, but I doubt he took it as a smite.