Man’s Death During St. Pete Police Struggle Was ‘Excusable Homicide,’ Sheriff Says

The task force’s investigation included officer statements, physical and video evidence, witness statements, and the Medical Examiner’s findings, PCSO said.

In his letter to Gualtieri, Bartlett said the officers could have been legally justified in using deadly force because of Pepal’s actions but instead used Tasers and physical restraints to stop the attack.

“The force used by Officer Poveda and Officer Craig was a reasonable response to the circumstances presented by Brian Pepal’s own actions,” Bartlett wrote. “Therefore, it is the conclusion of the State Attorney’s Office that the death of Brian Pepal was an excusable homicide [under state law.]”

The Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force was created in 2020 to independently investigate law enforcement uses of deadly force in the county.

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