SAO asks Gov. DeSantis to re-assign Ben Frazier’s trespassing case, citing ‘relationship’ with him

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The State Attorney’s Office would like the case of Ben Frazier, the community activist who was removed in handcuffs and cited for trespassing ahead of a Florida governor news conference in Jacksonville, to be reassigned to another circuit.

That’s according to a letter written by Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Melissa Nelson to to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Action News Jax reported on Tuesday when the president and founder of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville was removed ahead of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ news conference at the Duval County Department of Health.

The news conference was abruptly moved to another location after community members and Frazier, showed up, demanding to see DeSantis and ask him questions directly. The commotion escalated and Frazier was taken into custody.

PHOTOS: Jacksonville community activist handcuffed ahead of Florida governor’s news conference

In the letter, Nelson explained that her office has “a relationship with Mr. Frazier,” and as a community activist, he has called upon the office, on several occasions, for it to take actions related to investigations and other pending criminal cases.

Nelson said she and other members of the office, had hosted and attended several meetings with Frazier and in the past 18 months, the office has engaged in conversation — “at his invitation” — to address criminal justice issues within the community.

Action News Jax also sat down with Frazier, Nelson, and the city’s top leaders and community advocates for a raw, open discussion about how to make Jacksonville a better place in 2020.

“In light of these dynamics and circumstances, and specifically in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety, we respectfully request that another Circuit be assigned to handle this matter,” the letter read.

Gov. DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw told Action News Jax: “Our legal team has received this letter and the SAO’s request is under review. I will let you know when we have an update.”

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