VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A judge in Volusia County has decided to seal the murder confession related to the shooting of Edgewater Police Officer David Jewell, who was shot and killed at a gas station in Ormond-by-the-Sea earlier this week.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday, and Officer Jewell’s body was later transported from the medical examiner’s office to a local funeral home, accompanied by a somber procession of law enforcement officers from across Volusia County on Thursday.
Hours after the judge’s ruling, the attorney for the suspect, who admitted to killing Jewell, submitted a motion to keep the confession under wraps. Attorney Larry Avallone expressed concerns about the potential impact of public knowledge of the confession on the suspect’s right to a fair trial, stating that it could improperly influence the jury pool.
Despite the public nature of Machado’s confession, which was included in the arrest report and discussed during a news conference by Sheriff Mike Chitwood, his defense argued for the need to seal the document. Avallone emphasized that ensuring a fair trial is paramount.
Surveillance footage purportedly shows the suspect, identified as Machado, pointing a firearm at Jewell, an act he admits occurred shortly after picking up the weapon just two hours prior to the shooting. According to detectives, Machado confessed to having a “bad day” on his way to work, during which he contemplated killing the officer.
Investigators reported that the video reveals Machado firing multiple shots at Jewell, reloading, and shooting again, resulting in a total of 24 shots being fired at the officer. Although prosecutors and the Sheriff’s office did not take a definitive stance on the sealing of the confession, Judge Elizabeth Blackburn ultimately ruled in favor of confidentiality.
“I am happy to enter an order indicating that confessions from Mr. Machado are not subject to release pursuant to the public records law,” Judge Blackburn stated.
As of now, Machado has filed a written plea of not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court next month.
In honor of Officer Jewell, the Edgewater Police Department is planning a public candlelight vigil. This event will take place at Edgewater Alliance Church on Friday at 6 p.m., providing an opportunity for the community to come together and honor the fallen officer’s service.
The funeral service for Jewell will be held much later and, following the family’s wishes, will remain private. The community is encouraged to show their support for Jewell’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
All are welcome to attend the vigil and stand united in remembrance of the sacrifices made by the dedicated law enforcement officers who serve their communities.
This article was automatically written by Open AI. Please note that the information contained may be inaccurate, and any article can be requested for removal, retraction, or correction by emailing contact@publiclawlibrary.org.