Sarasota paralegal Michael Barfield, who is also president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, submitted an emergency petition for writ of mandamus to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court on Monday seeking “any records that BPD can release as it relates to the homicide of Tara Reilly, including, but not limited to, any portion of any probable cause affidavit or arrest warrant.”
The petition claims the BPD has violated the Florida Public Records Act by not providing the documents he requested. The Herald-Tribune made the same request on Dec. 18 and also was denied.
A writ of mandamus orders a public agency to perform an act required by law after it has refused. A hearing is held, and either the writ is issued or the petition is denied.