Roger Fortson’s Mother Says Former Florida…
More than two years after U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson was fatally shot inside his Florida condo, his household is STILL ready for the previous sheriff’s deputy charged in the killing to stand trial.
Source: Hurlburt Field/Facebook
According to the Atlanta Black Star, former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Eddie Duran is scheduled to stand trial on Sept. 28 on a manslaughter charge after at least 17 delays since prosecutors filed costs against him in August 2024.
Fortson’s mom, Chantemekki “Meka” Fortson, said the repeated postponements have only compounded her household’s grief while they continue searching for accountability for her son’s death.
“For me, it just seems like it’s just a way to delay tactics,” Fortson told the Atlanta Black Star.
Meka Fortson said she believes Duran’s protection staff has deliberately extended the proceedings, pointing to continuances that she believes have allowed the previous deputy to spend further time with his household.
“You’re not ready for trial, but you want to go on spring break with your kids. You want to go on summer vacation with your kids. You want to move to another state with your kids,” she said. “I think that’s a tactic they’re using as part of his defense.”
Family Still Searching For Accountability
The Atlanta Black Star studies that Duran was charged with one rely of manslaughter with a firearm, a charge that carries a most sentence of 30 years in prison. He was launched after posting a $100,000 bond and has remained out of custody while awaiting trial.
Although Fortson acknowledged she doesn’t know what the result of the legal case will probably be, she said her biggest concern is whether or not justice will finally prevail.
“My biggest fear is that hypocrisy might win, but I am hoping that he’s found guilty so it can be some accountability,” she said.
Rather than focusing on whatever punishment Duran might obtain, Fortson said she merely needs public acknowledgment that her son ought to still be alive.
“I just want them to say that he was wrong for what he did to my child. I just want to hear, ‘He should not have killed Roger Fortson. Senior Airman Roger Fortson should still be alive.’ That’s all I want.”
Fortson also mirrored on her son’s army service, saying his dedication to defending others makes his death even more troublesome to settle for.
“He was protecting his country against foreign and domestic threats. He just did not know that the cop standing at his door was a domestic threat.”
What Happened Before The Trial Delays
As beforehand reported, the deadly taking pictures occurred on May 3, 2024, after Duran responded to what was reported as a home disturbance at Fortson’s condo complicated. Body digital camera footage later confirmed Fortson opening his condo door while legally holding a firearm pointed toward the ground before Duran fired a number of rounds within seconds.
An inside affairs investigation later concluded Duran’s use of lethal drive was not objectively cheap, main to his termination from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Previously reported by BOSSIP, the latest with the Fortson’s household was a federal civil lawsuit filed in 2025 against Duran, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden and the proprietor of the condo complicated, alleging negligence and failures that contributed to the taking pictures.
The civil case stays pending alongside the legal proceedings.
What’s Next?
With jury choice anticipated to start forward of the Sept. 28 trial date, the legal case will mark the first alternative for a jury to decide whether or not Duran ought to be held criminally accountable for Fortson’s death.
After more than two years of delays, Fortson’s household says they’re hoping the upcoming trial will finally present solutions and a measure of justice for the 23-year-old airman whose death sparked national outrage.
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