Jury selection is set to begin today in a case that has caught the attention of both the public and law enforcement officials across Orange County. Deputy David Crawford of Osceola County is facing trial after a confrontation at a gas station led to a man being set on fire. The incident reportedly occurred when deputies pursued Jean Baretto-Baerga, suspecting him of recklessly driving his motorcycle. According to ClickOrlando, the encounter escalated when Crawford deployed his Taser, igniting a blaze that severely injured Barreto-Baerga and led to burns over 75 percent of his body.
Perhaps the most damning evidence in the case comes from body camera footage, where Crawford is heard recognizing the presence of spilled gasoline, yelling, "Kill the pump, kill the pump! Gas!" Despite this awareness, he proceeded to use his Taser shortly before the fire started. "You're about to get tazed, dude," Crawford proclaimed, as captured on the same footage. If convicted on the charge of culpable negligence, Crawford could face a year in jail and a $1,000 fine, a seeming pittance compared to the physical and financial cost to the victim, as ClickOrlando reported.
The reaction from law enforcement professionals evidences the seriousness of the situation. Former Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon, in an interview with FOX 35 Orlando, indicated that it is standard training for officers to know the dangers of using a Taser near flammable materials. "It is well known in law enforcement that the use of a taser where flammable chemicals are present could potentially ignite," he said.
Meanwhile, the aftermath for Barreto has been harrowing, with ongoing medical treatments mounting into the millions of dollars. His attorney, Mark Nejame, emphasized the gravity of the deputy's actions, as per FOX 35 Orlando, "There should be consequences, because how else do we stop this type of activity from happening again?" The economic ramifications are also set to affect the taxpayers of Osceola County significantly, bringing into sharp relief the broader implications of actions taken by those sworn to protect and serve. The trial, expected to last up to a week, will no doubt continue to spur discussion on the use of force and the responsibilities of law enforcement.
