Camden County acquittal raises questions about police

Who is responsible for the death of a young mother killed by a Camden County sheriff deputy’s bullet while he and his team executed a search warrant before dawn at her cousin’s house?

A jury in Camden County on Thursday decided to acquit the man on trial for murder — 49-year-old Varshan Brown of Woodbine — who was facing life in prison despite not firing the fatal shots. However, he did not escape prison time, due to the jury finding him guilty on other charges.

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The controversial case prosecuted by Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Keith Higgins illustrated competing views of public safety, police standards and victims’ rights. After approximately six hours of deliberation, the jury sided with Brown’s public defender, who argued that the deputies’ irresponsible actions and violations of protocol created the circumstances that led to Latoya James’ death on May 4, 2021.

Read the rest of this story at The Current, a Jacksonville Today news partner.

Lead image: Superior Court Judge Roger Lane listens to closing arguments in the trial of Varshan Brown on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. | Justin Taylor, The Current