- November 1, 2024
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A domestic violence charge filed against Flagler Beach City Commissioner Eric Cooley in June will no longer be pursued by the State Attorney's Office because the victim does not want to push for prosecution and the state is unable to prove the case.
"The victim does not want to go forward with charges and will not cooperate with the State," the prosecution stated in an Oct. 5 form explaining its decision not to continue the case. "Since there are no independent witnesses who saw the domestic battery, the State is not able to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt."
Cooley had been represented by local defense attorney Joshua Davis, who requested a gag order against Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly concerning the case, saying that Staly's public pronouncements about the case could interfere with Cooley's right to a fair trial. Judge Melissa Moore Stens did not grant the motion for a gag order.