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Published on Tuesday, June 11, 2004
in the Lake City Reporter
A grand jury issued an indictment charging Gregory Hampton Platt with the death of Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Sgt. George "Andy" Brown III.
Platt, 31, of Naples, was charged with second degree murder, felony fleeing and eluding, driving with a suspended license resulting in death and leaving the scene of an accident involving death.
"We're very pleased with everything," said Assistant State Attorney Todd Hingson, who directed the grand jury. "It is the highest charge possible."
The indictment was sealed until Platt could be officially served and arrested Thursday evening at Columbia County Detention Center.
Platt will be arraigned in Columbia County in the next few weeks. He has already been transported back to Citrus County where he has also been indicted on charges related to eluding law enforcement there.
It is not yet known which trial will be held first. It is more common for the worse case to be tried first, Hingson said.
Platt is believed to be the driver of the car that was being pursued by Brown on Sisters Welcome Road when the trooper's FHP Camaro ran off the road and struck a tree. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene.
A preliminary report from the FHP stated that it is possible Platt used his emergency brake when Brown was behind him, which could have been why the trooper lost control.
Kelly Jean Smith, 25, of Naples, is also believed to have been in the car with Platt.
They were caught in Crystal River after being pursued by Citrus County sheriff's deputies.
The 21-member grand jury is finished with all of the decisions for this trial term.