On March 19th 2016, Ryan Modell spent the evening celebrating with friends. He’d just been offered a new job and his birthday was approaching. The future was bright, instead it ended with his death.
In his new book, Murder & Corruption In Florida, Sandy Modell walks the reader through his son’s murder, the mind of a sociopath, the corrupt actions of local elected officials, and Governor Ron DeSantis’ continued refusal to take action against corruption by members of his Republican Party.
Ryan Modell was unarmed, wearing only a bathing suit, when he was shot and killed in Ft Myers. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has ruled it a murder, but the State Attorney, Amira Fox, refuses to prosecute. She is unable and unwilling to explain why. She was recently investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for extorting the victim’s family. Her bias against them has been evident on multiple occasions. Judges in Fort Myers, interviewed by the author, indicate they would be obligated to recuse themselves under those circumstances. Consequently, Ryan’s family believes that the Governor should respond to their petition for an objective review by an Independent Special Prosecutor. It’s been “under review” for over three years!
The author explains that the tragedy began in the early morning hours of March 20, 2016. Ryan Modell left a party and walked home. He was living in a community of town homes where each building was set up similarly, painted similarly, and appeared nearly indistinguishable. Ryan went to Unit 102, the correct Unit, but didn’t realize he was in the wrong building.
The awakened occupant, James Steven Taylor opened the door, told Ryan he was in the wrong building, then slammed the door on Ryan’s foot. Taylor called the LCSO, and was informed that Officers were now en route. He was advised to lock the door and remain inside. Instead after 2-4 minutes (Deposition Testimony), he got his gun and went back outside to pursue Ryan. Taylor found him sitting on the ground, unarmed, inspecting his badly injured foot. So he taunted and approached Ryan, and shortly thereafter shot and killed him.
Modell goes into great detail explaining why this is murder, and why none of it is “Stand Your Ground” as alleged by the State Attorney, and also examines her refusal to explain her decision. Experienced reporters say they have never seen a State Attorney unwilling or unable to explain a charging decision.
Modell also paints a clear picture of the murderer, a chronically unemployed loner. Taylor is the man who told police that he routinely walks the quiet neighborhood during the day carrying a loaded 10MM pistol with a laser sight, a flashlight attachment, and 5-6 clips of additional ammunition. They described the gun as a hunting weapon.
Taylor is the man, unbeknownst to his wife, who used an alias on FaceBook in an attempt to attract young women. Taylor is the man that neighbors zealously avoid. Finally, in the years since the murder, Taylor is the man that has sent the Modell family taunting texts bragging about the crime. Modell holds nothing back. It’s all in his book.
Modell quotes noted defense attorney and “Stand Your Ground” expert Mark O’Mara’s review of the case. “Despite being safely locked inside his house, and securing that status on a number of occasions, Mr. Taylor attempts to claim he was in fear. That after-the-fact claim is self-serving, and contrary to Florida law. Mr. Taylor never needed to open his front door, as he himself stated that the first time he opened the door was after Ryan was far enough away he wasn’t posing a threat; and the second time he opened the door Ryan had “disappeared into the darkness.”
Mr. Taylor never stated that Ryan was physically aggressive toward him or used force against him in any manner. Mr. Taylor never stated that Ryan ever threatened, used or had the apparent ability to use deadly force against Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor never even stated that Ryan touched him in any way. Nonetheless, Mr. Taylor decided deadly force was appropriate. At no point was Mr. Taylor reasonable in his claim of threat bodily injury, and never even tried to claim use of deadly force by Ryan. Accordingly, Mr. Taylor’s actions constitute a homicide.”
The case has been reviewed by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, attorneys, prosecutors, former State Attorneys, judges, and journalists. Everyone has seen a murder. Everyone except Amira Fox, and she can’t explain it.
Sandy Modell has written a compelling, but heartbreaking narrative. It’s the story of a grieving Father’s frustration with government corruption and inaction after a painful loss. Modell makes a clear case for why Governor Ron DeSantis needs to stop covering for corrupt local officials and finally take action. He needs to move the case to a new Judicial Circuit for an honest, independent, objective review of the case. It’s time that the Modell family received Justice For Ryan!