Following the jury’s guilty verdict in the controversial Riley DUI case, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell sent an email to TPD employees.
Revell began with, “I’m sure you have heard by now, but the defendant in this case was found guilty of DUI. Although they tried to discredit our officers and our department, the jury didn’t buy into the gross misrepresentation of the BWC (Body-Worn Camera) footage by Max Herrle and his tabloid journalism..”
In the email, Revell also noted the “well-publicized assumption of wrongdoing by City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow.”
On April 3rd, days before the trial, Matlow posted on X, “This is troubling to watch. As a City Commissioner in Tallahassee, I’ll be requesting a full review and explanation of this incident by the City Manager.”
On April 6th, during the trial, Matlow posted on X, “Is there a point where you would deem it acceptable for law enforcement to fabricate and plant evidence during the course of an arrest?”
After the trial and the jury verdict, Matlow continued his criticism of the law enforcement. He posted on X, “The evidence presented at trial included all the hallmarks that drive distrust in law enforcement: phantom marijuana smells, fabricated evidence and incomplete body cam footage. Thankful for those that standup to injustice.”
FULL REVELL EMAIL
I’m sure you have heard by now, but the defendant in this case was found guilty of DUI. Although they tried to discredit our officers and our department, the jury didn’t buy into the gross misrepresentation of the BWC footage by Max Herrle and his tabloid journalism, as well as the well-publicized assumption of wrongdoing by commissioner Jeremy Matlow. I want you all to know that the vast majority of this community supports you and knows the high level of professionalism you all display on a daily basis. This jury’s verdict is a clear representation of that support. They believed our officers and not the misdirection and misrepresentation by the defense. I am, as always, incredibly proud of you!!
Matlow gotta go, and hit the road Jac(queline).
If he was guilty of DUI then why go through the trouble of opening a sealed container and putting it back in the vehicle?
Just because he was found guilty from other evidence does not mean the officer shouldn't be reprimanded.
Not like she was taking someone else's adderall prescription...
Matlow used city Covid funds to advertise his own business
No one who watched the video can say they observed the ideal way to investigate and arrest a DUI suspect. The police can't afford even the appearance of impropriety. And you can't say police don't plant evidence. Not too long ago, a deputy in Gadsden County was sent to prison for precisely that after ruining the lives of several people. The Chief needs to take a second look on how he trains and take at least some of the criticism to heart. And I do support him and his officers all the way.
Matlow showing his typical progressives colors. I wouldn't want him on an HOA board, much less a be a commissioner.
@Publius-Not sure what you consider to be “safe”. Sounds like you prefer to drive around with those that are DUI. Go troll somewhere else.
I watched the whole body camera footage. This is what the liberal gun grabbing politicians want.
A police state with crooked cops with no remorse trampling our god given rights. Install dash cameras and property cameras on your land. Pray for our nation.
The defendant has a right to refuse both a breath and a blood test, which this defendant did. It is then up to the prosecutor to prove impairment through other means, including reckless driving ( no head lights, excessive speed), slurring of speech and belligerent attitude ( in the body cam footage) and his admission that he was drinking prior to driving.
I'm missing something, Riley refused the field sobriety test and I have yet to see blood test results. Don't you have to be proven drunk to be convicted of a DUI? People can drink a couple of beers and pass the .08 threshold.
Did they find that missing million taxpayer dollars yet?
Matlow should stick to making pies, because every time he runs his piehole, dookie comes out.
Revell and the reactionaries infesting these comments should be jailed. It is the only way normal Tallahassee citizens can know they are safe.
Go Get ‘Em Chief Revell! So proud of our Chief of TPD and his hard working officers who not only put their lives on the line, but have to put up with the Bigotry of their own City Commissioner, Matlow. Matlow is a disgrace to this community and should be removed from that position. Tallahassee doesn’t need a divisive Commissioner.
To repeat: Notwithstanding the alleged subsequent misdeeds by Officer Oliver, the facts pertaining to the actual DUI charge are the facts… to wit:
“… back in May of 2023 – after observing Riley driving at a high rate of speed on South Monroe, with no headlights on. Riley told officers that he had been at a local bar where he consumed a couple of beers.”
Perhaps a lesson for anti-LEO Progressive-Marxist Pizza Boy… keep your mouth shut, unless you’re chewing on that rancid mess you call your pizza.