With a hearing poised to start next week on the fate of suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, one of his attorneys suggested that the case could be affected by the arrest of Scot Peterson, the former resource officer at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Israel has appealed to the Florida Senate as he fights his ouster by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who alleged that “neglect of duty” and “incompetence” by Israel were connected to the February 2018 mass shooting at the Parkland high school that killed 17 people.

The Senate has the authority to reinstate or remove elected officials, and Senate Special Master Dudley Goodlette is scheduled June 18 to begin what could be a multiday hearing on Israel's appeal. Goodlette, a former lawmaker, ultimately will make a recommendation to the Senate about whether Israel should be reinstated.