Charges Filed in Florida Boot Camp Death

Seven former juvenile boot camp guards and a nurse were charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of Martin Lee Anderson, 14, who collapsed in the exercise yard at the Bay County Sheriff's boot camp in Panama City, Florida, on January 5, 2005. Anderson was beaten by guards, who said he was uncooperative and refused to continue participating in boot camp intake exercises. Anderson's death was captured on videotape

Initially, the medical examiner's autopsy claimed Anderson died of complications from sickle cell, a usually benign blood disorder in African Americans. However, a second autopsy ruled that Anderson suffocated due to the guards’ actions. Anderson’s death caused the state’s top law enforcement officer to resign and the elimination of the military-style boot camp.