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Former Midway Police Chief Could Return

Posted at 5:15 PM, Apr 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-27 14:26:12-04

MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) - The Midway city council is discussing whether or not its former police chief will be reinstated.

Last month, Tom Murray was voted out of his job at a special meeting, but now, he might be back.

Just a few weeks ago, the council voted 4-to-3 to terminate his contract. The city manager says it's because he had been "insubordinate." But after Murray's attorneys indicated they'd sue the city, this meeting my result in his return.

To recap, Murray had been named chief in November after serving as the interim since July of last year.

He and city manager Auburn Ford have had a testy relationship, with Murray going to state investigators about Ford's eligibility to serve as city manager given his felony history.

A series of meetings followed, leading up to the final vote to fire Murray. His attorneys sent a letter of intent to sue. They told WTXL last month the special meeting to fire Murray was a "Sunshine Law" violation.

Ford said at the last council meeting, one of the members who voted to fire Murray wanted to take back his vote, because he didn't want the city facing another lawsuit.

Former city manager Dot Inman-Johnson also sued the city recently.

Ford declined to comment further due to "pending litigation." The city attorney says Murray's situation would not be discussed Thursday night at a special meeting despite being listed on the agenda. 

The terms of Murray's potential return have not been publicized or agreed upon by the city, according to city attorney Anthony Thomas.