Sheriff Dupont and Family

June 3, 1891 Monroe County Sheriff Charles Dupont was ordered by Circuit Court Judge Mitchell to bring Emilio Garcia and Jose Rodriguez to Tampa for trial. Garcia and Rodriguez were charged with the murder of Jamie Mira of Key West. The murder had caused a sensation in Key West and the people feared that if the trial was held in Tampa, Garcia’s home, the men would get off. When the ship for Tampa was due to leave a large crowd gathered at the jail to protest and the sheriff fearing for the safety of his prisoners kept them in Key West. The two men would eventually be tried four times before they were found innocent.