Gainseville Sun.com
Wednesday, December 12, 2001

Sheriff's Office officials called before jury
Several people with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, including Sheriff Steve Oelrich and jail
personnel, were called before a grand jury Monday amid speculation that jurors are investigating
the death of an Eastside High School graduate at the jail earlier this year.
But the daylong hearing ended without any action.
Mark Burkett, 18, who graduated June 9, died June 16 after fighting with jail officers. He had
been arrested June 13 by Gainesville Police, after his family said he was acting irrationally.
Police said Burkett fought with three officers.
Detention officers who tried to take Burkett to a court appearance that day also said he was
uncooperative, and they used a Taser electronic gun to subdue him. Later that day he fought with
officers trying to take a blood sample. But he fell limp and was taken to Shands at AGH. He was
placed on life-support and died four days later.
-Lise Fisher