By C1 Staff
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — Investigation and facts into the explosion of the Escambia County Jail in April are being revealed to a grand jury, starting Tuesday.
WEAR TV reports that the 21-member jury will determine if gross negligence or reckless care caused or contributed to the explosion. The jury could return with an indictment or criminal charges.
The blast killed two inmates, paralyzed one corrections officer and injured 183 others. Many of the injured plan to file lawsuits against the county and others involved.
“The range of injuries really runs everything you’d expect out of an explosion,” said Attorney Scott Barnes, who represents 47 inmates who were injured in the blast. “Everything from leg injuries, arm injuries and back injuries.”
His clients blame the county and jail officials, and claim to have smelled gas days before the explosion.
Barnes says some of his clients’ medical bills are astronomical and are eager to take their cases to court. But Barnes has them waiting in order to see all the evidence, particularly a report from the Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF.
The report has not been made public, but it’s been given to the grand jury to review.
State Attorney Bill Eddins says the grand jury could take several weeks before making a decision. The proceedings are secret and are closed to the public and media.