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BREVARD COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — One of three police officers involved in the altercation that left a 15-year-old with a broken arm has resigned.
A resignation letter for William Markle says he has “thoroughly considered this decision and believe it to be in my best interest to pursue new career opportunities.”
The incident involving Markle happened in June when Melbourne police mistakenly took down 15-year-old Judah Everage, and broke his arm while searching for a different teen.
Police were looking for a 16-year-old described as white and wearing black clothing after his parents expressed concern for his safety. However, officers confronted Judah, who was wearing blue jeans and a white shirt.
According to a case report, Melbourne police said Judah did not comply with commands to lie on the ground and put his hands behind his back, and they claimed he resisted. Body-camera footage shows Judah on his knees with his hands in the air before an officer took him to the ground and handcuffed him in the area of Eden Park Drive, south of Wickham Park.
Judah’s mother, Angela Sparks, told WESH 2 her son was confused and tried to explain he was not the person they were looking for.
“He’s telling them, ‘I’m not who you’re looking for’ (…) he’s also telling them, ‘My arm, my arm. You’re breaking my arm,’” Sparks said.
Moments earlier, body-camera footage showed an officer speaking with the mother of the teen they were searching for, who had called for help and said her son needed to be evaluated under the Baker Act. Sparks said Judah was simply walking home after trying to assist the police.
Another officer, whose body camera recorded the earlier interaction, arrived at the scene to find two other officers pinning Judah down. The footage shows Judah trying to explain the situation, saying, “I know Armani, I can explain. I know his mom. I was just in the car with her. I can explain. You were there.”
Markle’s resignation letter goes on to say:
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Melbourne Police Department for the invaluable experiences and knowledge I have gained throughout my tenure. The department has provided me with an excellent platform to grow both professionally and personally, and I will forever cherish the memories I have made here.”
Personnel files
WESH 2 obtained copies of the personnel files for all the officers involved.
Markle had two notable complaints: one for failing to turn on his body camera and issuing an incorrect trespass order. He also had another complaint related to a domestic incident.
An internal report found that a citizen reported officer Markle for “aggressive and unprofessional behavior” during an encounter in a Planet Fitness parking lot. Markle issued the man a trespass order for sleeping in his car in the parking lot. When questioned by his superior, he cited the “public camping” order. The report from Melbourne police said it “raises concern” that the ordinance may have been “incorrectly applied.” His body camera was also turned off during the encounter. He told the department that he didn’t know it was off. He added that is the one part of the call he would have handled differently.
In a separate incident from May of last year, Markle received a complaint from an ex in a previous relationship. The complaint alleged Markle “entered an apartment complex where he previously resided, knocked loudly on the door while covering the door’s peephole and continued to contact/harass [the victim] after they made it clear of intentions to discontinue the relationship.”
Markle was reprimanded.
Officer Dylan Joseph had two notable complaints: one for a minor crash in a city vehicle where he was at fault, another for not turning on his body camera during a shots-fired call.
In an internal email from a sergeant at Melbourne police, it said, “it was determined that your failure to initiate your camera and capture the incident created an evidentiary gap during a critical portion of the incident.” He was one of three other officers who received verbal counseling as a result. It’s important to note that he did turn on his body camera eventually, just not during his initial reaction with witnesses on the scene.
The third officer, Thomas Alabise, has one incident of note. He was involved in a minor crash in a city vehicle where he was at fault.
Two of the three officers are still on the job.
The Melbourne Police Department has stated it is conducting a full review of the incident. A spokesperson said no one was available for an interview.
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