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Florida
May 24, 2005 12:57:15 GMT -5
Post by Sher on May 24, 2005 12:57:15 GMT -5
LAKE WORTH, Florida -- An eight-year-old girl who was raped and buried alive under rocks and concrete blocks inside a trash bin told a friend that the last thing that she remembered before passing out was her attacker towering over her.
But she said she awoke when she heard rescuers' voices, and wiggled her fingers to let them know she was there.
The girl, who was found by police seven hours after she was reported missing early Sunday, was hospitalized in good condition yesterday and was talking with family and friends.
A teenage boy has been charged with attempted murder.
"She said the last thing she remembers is that he looked over her with these big eyes and then she said she went to sleep. She said she was waiting for us to find her," said Danielle Holloman, 18, a family friend who calls the girl her sister.
"She said she knew we would come get her. That's why as soon as the police came, she wiggled her fingers," Holloman said yesterday.
Police Sgt. Mike Hall found the girl after climbing into an eight-metre-long trash bin and opening the lid to a 112-litre recycling container. Inside, he saw the girl's hand and foot sticking out amid heavy concrete slabs.
Rescuers feared the worst, but the mood turned jubilant when they saw the girl's fingers move and realized she was alive.
"There's no doubt in my mind that this child would have been dead if he didn't find her. She was dehydrated and in rough shape with pieces of cement blocks on top of her and she was face down," Sgt. Dan Boland said. "There was no way for her to get out on her own."
He said there must have been enough air pockets in the container to keep her alive.
Her disappearance rattled a state that had been outraged over the arrests of sex offenders in the separate killings earlier this year of nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford and 13-year-old Sarah Lunde.
The girl had been staying overnight at her godmother's house in this town about 16 km south of West Palm Beach, where she often stayed on weekends when her mother worked. After police found her, she described her attacker, a teenage boy who had also been staying at the house, police said.
Authorities said Milagro Cunningham, 17, confessed and was charged with attempted murder, sexual battery on a child under 12, and false imprisonment of a victim under age 13, police said.
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Florida
May 28, 2005 11:21:30 GMT -5
Post by Sher on May 28, 2005 11:21:30 GMT -5
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. -- A 17-year-old girl was shot once in the stomach today at a Pompano Beach office building.
The shooting happened at 2230 S.W. 2nd St. The victim was airlifted to North Broward General Center.
Police said the suspect is a male who fled in a blue Mitsubishi. Police think he is the girl's ex-boyfriend and that he might be trying to flee the country.
No names have been released.
Stay with Local10.com for updates on this breaking story.
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Florida
May 31, 2005 9:19:55 GMT -5
Post by Sher on May 31, 2005 9:19:55 GMT -5
HOLLY HILL, Florida (AP) -- Two Florida teenagers found a homeless man in the woods and beat and kicked him to death "to have something to do," according to Volusia County sheriff's investigators.
Christopher Scamahorn, 14, and Jeffery Spurgeon, 18, confessed to beating the 53-year-old victim with their fists and sticks and kicking him, sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said Sunday.
The pair were charged with murder Sunday. Spurgeon was being held without bail in Daytona Beach. Scamahorn taken to a juvenile jail.
The teens said they attacked the man "for fun" and "to have something to do," Haught said. They went back to the woods three times after the initial attack to beat the man again, he said.
The victim was found Saturday, and the condition of the body indicated he had been dead for several days. An autopsy Sunday determined that the man died from blunt force trauma to the head and body, Haught said.
The victim's name has not been released.
"We're trying to find next of kin," Haught said Monday. "He apparently doesn't have any next of kin nearby."
Investigators said there may be more arrests.
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Post by Sher on Jun 2, 2005 7:56:43 GMT -5
TAMPA, Florida (AP) -- A 7-year-old boy beat his baby half-sister to death with his fists, feet and a two-by-four because he was jealous of the attention the girl was receiving and because she would not stop crying, police said Wednesday.
The State Attorney's Office is deciding whether to file charges against the boy in an attack that rattled even veteran homicide detectives.
"The veteran detectives who worked on this case have never seen a case with someone as young as a 7-year-old show so much violence and so little remorse," Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.
The attack occurred May 22 in Tampa, where the boy had been visiting his father. Seven-month-old Jayza Laney Simms was dead on arrival at the hospital where her parents rushed her.
The boy confessed to killing his sister a week later when detectives confronted him with the evidence, McElroy said.
The unidentified boy was not taken into custody and is living with his mother while prosecutors make their decision on whether to charge him.
Police said the father and his girlfriend were outside visiting with neighbors when the boy came to them about midnight on the night of the attack and told them the baby was "bleeding." They found the girl with a bloody nose and said she wasn't breathing.
The Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office did not immediately return telephone calls for comment Wednesday.
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Florida
Jun 9, 2005 23:12:28 GMT -5
Post by Sher on Jun 9, 2005 23:12:28 GMT -5
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- The city of Miami Beach today took the lead in banning sex offenders from living near areas where there are children. City commissioners approved an ordinance that bans convicted sex offenders from living within 2,500 feet of a school or park. The city is on such a narrow slip of land, that essentially prevents sex offenders from moving into Miami Beach. Offenders who are already living in the city will be allowed to stay. In Miami-Dade County, North Miami and Sweethingyer have already passed the first reading of stricter new rules. In Broward, the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Weston, Hallandale and Pembroke Pines are also considering restricting where sexual offenders can live. Though everyone agrees that children should be protected from sexual offenders, some critics think the ban will just create problems for neighboring cities. www.local10.com/news/4585678/detail.html?subid=22100404&qs=1;bp=t
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Florida
Jun 22, 2005 14:44:23 GMT -5
Post by Sher on Jun 22, 2005 14:44:23 GMT -5
NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A dispute with a tow truck driver ended with gunfire early Wednesday morning.
Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives say tow truck driver Lorenzo Paul, 38, removed several illegally parked cars from the Belmont Condominiums in North Lauderdale during the night.
Paul parked the vehicles in a nearby Wal-Mart parking lot. He then contacted residents to tell them they had to pay a $150 fee to retrieve their cars.
Investigators said 18-year-old Gael Devalt, of Miami, was notified at about midnight that his car had been towed and he would have to pay a fee in order to get it back. After withdrawing the money from an ATM, Devalt arrived at the pickup location.
Detectives said Paul then informed Devalt that he needed to wait for a second driver to return because he was the one who actually had his paperwork. After waiting five to 10 minutes, Devalt said he became impatient and began arguing with Paul. Moments later Devalt said he got in his car and attempted to drive away.
Detectives said Paul stood in the path of Devalt's car, drew a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and fired at the car, hitting the front windshield. Devalt was not wounded. He stopped his car and called police.
The case has been referred to the Broward State Attorney’s Office. No charges have been filed and the investigation continues.
Residents of the Belmont Condominiums told Local 10 that cars have been towed from their lot for several months. They said that the residents don't have permits and park wherever they can, and there are not enough spaces for all the vehicles. Some residents said that they believe that the owner of the condominiums is conspiring with the tow truck company.
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Florida
Jun 24, 2005 13:01:04 GMT -5
Post by Sher on Jun 24, 2005 13:01:04 GMT -5
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — A deputy Tasered an intoxicated 13-year-old girl who was kicking and scratching two hospital nurses, officials said.
April Rene Burleson, who is 4-foot-9 and weighs 90 pounds, had a blood alcohol level of 0.175 percent and was under the influence of marijuana and the prescription drug Xanax (search), according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office (search).
"You have to understand, she was lashing out, kicking and scratching," sheriff's spokeswoman Ileana LiMarzi said. "She was acting like an adult who needed to be restrained. Just because she's 13 doesn't mean she can't harm somebody."
Burleson was charged with loitering, disorderly public intoxication, battery by a juvenile on health services personnel, battery on an officer and resisting an officer. She was sent to the Lee County Juvenile Assessment Center (search).
Burleson was walking on the street at 2:50 a.m. Thursday when a deputy picked her up on the loitering charge. She was first brought to her mother, who agreed to have the girl medically cleared at Lee Memorial Hospital before being processed.
According to sheriff's reports, Burleson had been combative with Deputy Chad Edwards before they reached the hospital, then screamed at the hospital staff and injured the nurses and Edwards.
Burleson was shocked with the Taser (search) in the chest, then held in four-point restraints during her exam, deputies said.
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Florida
Jun 24, 2005 13:15:59 GMT -5
Post by Sher on Jun 24, 2005 13:15:59 GMT -5
NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Federal agents arrested a South Florida elementary school teacher Thursday on suspicion of selling assault rifles to a convicted felon.
Investigators said one of the weapons sold was an AK-47 similar to this one. Agents said Michael Garrison, who's a third-grade teacher at Madie Ives Elementary in North Miami Beach, sold an AK-47, a .308 caliber assault rifle and a 7.62 mm assault rifle to a known felon. Agents said he knew the weapons would be used in violent crimes.
Garrison will appear in Federal court Tuesday.
A Local 10 News crew stopped by Garrison's house, but no one answered the door.
"He seemed like he was a very nice, intelligent young man," said one neighbor. "He didn't bother nobody around here."
Officials said Garrison's prosecution was a result of the Street Terror Offender Program, or STOP, a joint federal, state effort which targets armed and violent felons who would trade in guns.
Garrison is facing six different criminal counts. If convicted, he could face significant prison time and a $250,000 fine.
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Florida
Jun 27, 2005 15:17:53 GMT -5
Post by Sher on Jun 27, 2005 15:17:53 GMT -5
Deputy Opens Fire On 12-Year-Old Driver
POSTED: 7:50 am EDT June 27, 2005 UPDATED: 8:19 am EDT June 27, 2005
Deputies in Polk County said they were involved in a confrontation that led them to open fire on a 12-year-old girl who was in a stolen car.
We're not naming the girl because she's so young, but deputies said she was in the car with her 6-year-old brother, WESH 2 News reported.
Deputies said they didn't know they were dealing with a 12-year-old and tried to stop her by parking their patrol cars in front of her. But officials said she rammed the vehicles then allegedly drove right at a deputy who was outside his car.
He shot at the car but didn't hit the young driver. Deputies finally trapped her on a dead-end street.
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Florida
Jun 29, 2005 12:57:12 GMT -5
Post by Sher on Jun 29, 2005 12:57:12 GMT -5
14-Year-Old Girl, 13-Year-Old Boy Charged In Southside Slaying POSTED: 9:48 am EDT June 28, 2005 UPDATED: 10:34 pm EDT June 28, 2005 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Police have charged a 14-year-old girl with the murder of her foster brother, and a 13-year-old friend with helping to commit the crime. The body of a 15-year-old boy was body was found Monday in woods beside the apartment complex where all three lived. The victim, still not being named, was killed Friday night, according to police reports. He was reported missing Sunday from Southwind Villas on Newton Road. The body was found about 1 p.m. Monday in woods south of Beach and Southside boulevards. The cause of death and positive identity were being established by the medical examiner. "He's a real sweet young guy," said Joyce Jackson, who knew both the victim and the girl accused of killing him. "The last time I saw him, he looked like he was disturbed about something, and I'm thinking now that was one of those times I should have took him and said, 'Whatever it is, just let it go.'" Tuesday morning, police announced that Latosha Renee Marks -- who lived in the same foster family as the victim -- was charged with murder and Reggie Riquay Griffin was charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Both are listed as residents of Southwind Villas. Teens In Juvenile Court Hear Charges Against Them Friends, Neighbors Remember Victim According to the arrest report, Marks admitted to police she stabbed the boy several times Friday night because she was angry that he had punched her in the stomach earlier that evening. Police divers searched a retention pond Tuesday, looking for the murder weapon. While Griffin is charged only with accessory after the fact, police said he admitted to holding the victim down while Marks attacked him, then put the body in a creek and covered it with palm fronds. Both appeared before a juvenile judge Tuesday morning and were ordered held without bond. www.news4jax.com/news/4659802/detail.html?subid=22100425&qs=1;bp=t
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Florida
Jun 30, 2005 15:26:09 GMT -5
Post by Sher on Jun 30, 2005 15:26:09 GMT -5
CNN) -- A Florida man's confession that he kidnapped, raped and buried alive a 9-year-old girl may never be heard by a jury because, according to documents, he previously asked for a lawyer but was not given one.
John Couey, accused of murder in the death of Jessica Lunsford, asked for an attorney on March 17, the day before he confessed, according to the transcript of his questioning released by police.
At the time of his request, Couey was maintaining he had nothing to do with the girl's disappearance. His request came after Citrus County, Florida, detectives asked him if he would take a lie detector test.
The transcript reads:
Couey: "I want a lawyer here present. I want to talk to a lawyer 'cause, I mean ... if people trying to accuse something I didn't do. I didn't do it."
Detective: "OK. Hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on. ... So if we were to do a lie detector test, you'd want to get a lawyer for that ?"
Couey: "I want to talk to a lawyer first."
But instead of providing an attorney, the questioning continued and, according to the transcripts, Couey continued answering questions without mentioning his request for an attorney again.
The next day, March 18, Couey agreed to take a polygraph, after which he confessed, sources said. According to the transcripts, his Miranda rights were read to him on several occasions over a three-day period.
The issue will undoubtedly be litigated at pretrial hearings, and is a problem for the prosecution, according to experts consulted by CNN.
"Based on the fact that he clearly invoked his right to counsel at least three times, there may be a problem," said Jeffrey Weiner, a past president of the Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
"...It seems to me the law enforcement officials did not scrupulously honor his invocation of his right to counsel and as a result, his statement might be not admissible."
Several other lawyers contacted by CNN echoed his analysis.
Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy, who led the search for Jessica Lunsford, said through a spokesman that "the case is rock solid" and was built professionally and thoroughly.
"Although there are some amateurs questioning the credibility of our case against Couey and the confession, when this case is said and done, Couey will be convicted," he said.
Another law enforcement source involved in the case told CNN that even if Couey's confession is suppressed by the court, there is sufficient evidence to prosecute.
Couey confessed after he took the lie detector test March 18, sources said.
He called investigators back into the room because, according to the sources, he told them he knew he failed the test, and was apologetic for not being honest with detectives the day before.
He then gave a lengthy statement after having his Miranda rights read to him again, according to the transcripts. He did not request an attorney after being asked if he understood his right to have one present and to refuse to answer any questions, the transcripts show.
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Florida
Jun 30, 2005 15:28:34 GMT -5
Post by Sher on Jun 30, 2005 15:28:34 GMT -5
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Police are searching for a pair of 16-year-old twin brothers on the lam after escaping from a juvenile detention facility Saturday. Justin and Jamel Wescott can now tack on fugitive to their lengthy criminal list. According to police reports, Justin Wescott was released from a holding cell at the Duval Regional Juvenile Detention Center to use the restroom. He refused to return to lockup, and managed to steal the keys to unlock his brother's cell. Investigators said both teens then managed to overpower the intake officer, and they ran out the front door. "The keys were not on the persons of the officer," said Edgar Mathis with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. "They were on the desk, and that was the problem. Of course, that is against policy. We will address that." Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Lt. Christian Smith said the twins were arrested Friday and questioned for about 10 hours pertaining to a series of burglaries in which the suspects access the places of business through the roof. They were charged in connection with the January break-in of a Kmart on Lem Turner Road, and suspected of robbing the Cash America Pawn on Lem Turner. They were suspected of targeting gun and pawn shops to steal guns for resale on the street. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is also investigating. Police consider the fugitives to be armed and extremely dangerous. "Anytime you've got individuals on the run and knowing that the law is looking for them, and possibly armed, they're very dangerous," said JSO spokesman Ken Jefferson. www.news4jax.com/news/4662772/detail.html?subid=22100425&qs=1;bp=t
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Florida
Aug 2, 2005 18:53:27 GMT -5
Post by Sher on Aug 2, 2005 18:53:27 GMT -5
WELLINGTON, Florida -- Deputies used Taser stun guns, pepper spray and their fists to break up a teenage girl's coming-of-age party after they were summoned to break up a fight over a spilled drink.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's office said the crowd of 300 was "unruly and hostile."
Crystal Rodriguez, 15, said the deputies wrecked her quinceanera party, traditionally held in Latin American communities to mark a girl's 15th birthday.
"It just ruined our whole night. I was crying and crying and crying and everybody was trying to calm me down," she said.
Some guests said the fight, which began over a spilled drink on the dance floor, was over by the time deputies arrived.
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Florida
Aug 4, 2005 15:58:41 GMT -5
Post by Sher on Aug 4, 2005 15:58:41 GMT -5
PANAMA CITY, Fla. -- A Florida sports fan has been sentenced to death for killing his wife after sex.
Christoper Offord got angry because his wife wanted to cuddle after they had sex -- but he wanted to watch sports on television. She died after being struck dozens of times with a claw hammer.
Offord later confessed to a bartender at a sports bar, and eventually pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.
In imposing the death sentence, the judge said the brutality of the crime outweighed any of the defendant's possible mental problems.
Offord did not speak in court, but admitted in a jailhouse interview that he deserved to die.
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