Florida pays for boot camp death

TALLAHASSE, Fla., May 24 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Charlie Crist signed legislation Wednesday paying nearly $5 million to the parents of a teenage boy who died at the hands of boot camp guards.

It's been more than a year since Martin Lee Anderson, 14, was kneed and punched by seven guards while a nurse stood by during his first day at the juvenile facility, the Palm Beach Post reported Wednesday. The beating was caught on videotape but an initial autopsy was disputed and his body was exhumed for a second examination.

"I can't imagine anything more tragic than what happened," Crist said. "No dollar amount can bring Martin back. We all realize that. But the only way that we can attempt as a society to try to make this family whole is to compensate them the very best we can."

The teen's parents, Gina Jones and Robert Anderson, sought $40 million in damages but settled for $5 million from the state and nearly $2.5 million from the Bay County Sheriff's Office, which ran the facility.

The state previously paid Anderson's parents $200,000, the most allowed by law without legislative approval.

Crist apologized to Jones and Anderson at the signing.