Florida prosecutors charge officer, chief in Austin native’s death

Published 12:10 pm Sunday, February 26, 2017

Austin Daily Herald and the Associated Press

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Prosecutors in southwest Florida have filed charges against an officer who accidentally shot and killed Austin, Minnesota, native Mary Knowlton during a citizens academy “shoot/don’t shoot” exercise, as well as the officer’s boss.

State Attorney Stephen Russell announced Wednesday that Punta Gorda Police Officer Lee Coel has been charged with felony manslaughter and faces up to 30 years in prison. Police Chief Tom Lewis has been charged with misdemeanor culpable negligence and faces up to 60 days in jail.

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Knowlton, 73, was taking part in a roleplaying scenario Aug. 9, 2016, when she was mistakenly struck with a live round. The retired librarian was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Coel was placed on administrative leave at the time. It wasn’t immediately clear if Coel or Lewis had attorneys.

Last November, Knowlton’s family agreed to a settlement exceeding $2 million with city of Punta Gorda, as the city “denies violating any laws or breaching of duties” in connection with Knowlton’s death, the agreement reads.

That deal, which also frees the municipality and its staff from any future claims made by the family, further notes that “the city and its officers maintain that they did not violate anyone’s civil rights nor act wrongfully or negligently during the incident.”

Knowlton was born 1943 in Austin and was homecoming queen at Austin High School and also worked on the school newspaper.

She was an active volunteer who played an integral role in getting a public library set up in Prior Lake, Minnesota, and was a past president for The Friends of Punta Gorda Library.