Jesse Delbert Daniels

Jesse Delbert Daniels (September 25, 1938 – June 21, 2018) was a disabled Florida man who was held in the Florida State Hospital for 14 years without ever standing trial after being accused of raping a woman in Tavares, Florida and being declared unfit to stand trial.[1][2] Judge Truman Futch, who was also involved in the Groveland Four trial and who denied an effort to prosecute Sheriff Willis McCall after he shot two of the accused during an alleged escape attempt while they were handcuffed together and being transported in the sheriff's custody.[1] Daniels was held at Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee.[1] Author Gilbert King wrote the book Beneath a Ruthless Sun about the events.[1]

Daniels was born in Leesburg, Florida.

Journalist Mabel Norris Reese helped bring attention to his case and lawyer Richard Graham worked pro bono on appeals that eventually resulted in his being freed. He was compensated $75,000. After his release, he worked as an assistant cook at a hotel where his mother was a maid and did odd jobs. He rode a bicycle in Daytona Beach and enjoyed old country songs and playing guitar.[3]

References
  1. "Daytona service held for Daniels, wrongly charged with rape and held 14 years". Daytona Beach News.
  2. Szalai, Jennifer (25 April 2018). "A True-Crime Mystery From the 1950s, Fueled by Racism and Corruption". The New York Times.
  3. Gilbert King. "Disabled man framed for rape in 1950s Lake County dies". Daily Commercial.


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