SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Two Seminole County sheriff's deputies were fighting to get their jobs back Thursday, after they were fired over allegations of excessive force against an inmate at the jail.
The Civil Service Review Board listened to attorneys for both sides argue over whether there was just cause to fire the deputies.
Attorneys for the two terminated deputies appealed to the review board in a daylong hearing.
The ex-law enforcement officers said their punishment does not fit the crime.
Two other deputies were demoted following the allegations.
The dismissals stem from inmate Enrique Chapman accusing two deputies, James Llewellyn and William Zayas, of beating him in 2014 after Chapman allegedly called Llewellyn a dog.
In video provided to the board, Chapman is seen handcuffed and being escorted by Zayas and Llewellyn.
After Chapman sent a love letter to Sgt. Rachel Vernon, investigators said they put him in a watch commander's office, which is out of view of cameras, for nine minutes.
Zayas and Llewellyn said they were counseling Chapman about his behavior.
Then-Deputy Samantha Swanson was standing guard outside, investigators said.
Chapman claimed that he was beaten by the deputies behind closed doors.
But a months-long criminal investigation found no evidence of excessive force.
Instead, an administrative review by Chief Deputy Dennis Lemma found the deputies hindered the investigation and abandoned protocol.
"At least three of the four people had suffered significant discipline in the past year and a half," said Lemma.
Llewellyn and Zayas were fired and Swanson was demoted to a civilian position after allegedly lying about the investigation.
However, she said she felt pressured and bullied by the chief.
"He told me I could lose my pension and not be hired anywhere in the state of Florida," said Swanson.
Sgt. Vernon was also demoted.
The five-member appellate panel will determine whether the sheriff was justified in issuing the punishments.