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The man who confessed to fatally shooting Nassau County Deputy Joshua Moyers in 2021 is requesting a change of venue for his sentencing trial outside of Northeast Florida.
Patrick Rene McDowell is claiming that he cannot receive a fair trial on April 3 due to the extensive media coverage and remarks made by Sheriff Bill Leeper following McDowell’s arrest.
In a court filing by McDowell’s public defender, it is argued that there has been overwhelmingly negative publicity surrounding his client in the local media since the shooting on September 23, 2021.
The motion also takes exception to Sheriff Leeper’s statement advising residents to remain indoors and to “shoot and kill McDowell if they saw him.”
The Tragic Incident
Deputies discovered McDowell in a restroom at a youth sports complex in Callahan. When ordered to come out, McDowell complied and laid prone and unarmed on a sidewalk, as stated in the motion.
Following the shooting, which occurred after Moyers had pulled over a Chrysler minivan at 2:30 a.m. on Sandy Ford Road, McDowell fled the scene. He shot Moyers under his right eye and then again in his back before escaping just before a railroad gate closed.
The Search and Arrest
Law enforcement officers from Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia launched a massive search for McDowell while Deputy Moyers remained hospitalized. Tragically, Moyers succumbed to his injuries two days after the shooting.
After receiving information that led them to a concession stand next to Callahan Intermediate School, SWAT teams surrounded the area. McDowell eventually surrendered but failed to fully cooperate with commands, resulting in a police K-9 being released, which caused injuries to McDowell’s arm.
Legal Proceedings
McDowell was treated for his wounds and taken into custody. He pleaded guilty to shooting and killing Deputy Moyers a year earlier, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
In the recent motion filed, McDowell’s attorney argues that his client sustained permanent injuries during the K-9 attack, despite complying with deputies’ orders. The motion also references Sheriff Leeper’s comments about McDowell during a news conference.
It is alleged that Nassau County residents have been selling merchandise depicting McDowell being attacked by a police dog, further exacerbating the negative portrayal of McDowell in the media.
Conclusion
The motion highlights the pervasive media coverage of McDowell’s court appearances and the resulting bias against him, as indicated by a survey of potential jury members.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community awaits the outcome of McDowell’s sentencing trial and the resolution of this tragic event that claimed the life of Deputy Joshua Moyers.
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