JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Fourth Circuit State Attorney candidate Wes White called for an investigation into his opponent and current incumbent, Angela Corey on Wednesday.
White says he wants the Department of Justice to take a close look at his former boss and her office for what he calls systemic violations of the law.
He’s also calling for an investigation of Duval County Circuit Court Judge John Guy.
A large part of this accusation against Corey is coming from a story published in Folio Weekly Magazine that came out Wednesday. The story suggests that Corey may have suppressed evidence that could overturn dozens of homicide convictions – or more.
In a press conference Wednesday, White said that over a dozen homicide cases tried by the Office of the State Attorney could be overturned because Corey failed to disclose that former Medical Examiner Dr. Margarita Arruza was mentally incapacitated while she performed autopsies and testified regarding the cause and manner of death of homicide victims.
“The repeated failure of Corey and Judge John Guy to disclose to defense counsel that Arruza suffered from debilitating memory loss is a disgrace and a miscarriage of justice,” White says. “And that, ultimately, killers may find their way back onto the streets of Jacksonville.”
Angela Corey says this is all a political stunt by White and added that this is not news because it is not factual.
“I’m calling upon him right now to apologize to Dr. Arruza and her family,” Corey says. “It is truly shameful and he has crossed yet another line in his quest to win this race.”
Corey said in October 2010, issues about Dr. Arruza and her ability to recall certain details were brought to her attention. A meeting was held. Corey says Dr. Arruza did not perform autopsies or testify after that meeting.
"Despite this coming to our attention at that time and me meeting with Dr Aruza..never has there been and let me repeat that..never has there been any information provided to this state attorney's office regarding a medical condition or a determination of Dr. Arruza's full abilities or mental capacities," said Corey.
But White isn’t backing down. “The issues couldn’t be clearer,” he says. “It is simply the difference between right and wrong. It’s between conducting yourself with an idea or an eye toward the Constitution of the United States.”