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Winston Woes

May 6th, 2014 by flanews

The incident report filled out by deputies regarding Jameis Winston’s theft of crab legs doesn’t paint the picture of a forgetful shopper.  An LCSO report seems to say the quarterback was evading defenders off the field.

When Jameis Winston walked out of a Tallahassee Publix without paying for 32 dollars of seafood last week, he told officers it was a mental lapse.

“He told the deputies that he did not pay for the items, he forgot,” said Leon County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Mike Wood at a press conference held on April 30th.

But the incident report, based on surveillance video, lead a responding deputy to believe Winston was being elusive. The report says Winston paused near a deputy who was in the grocery store.  It goes on to say the pause appeared to be an attempt to avoid walking in front of the deputy.

The civil citation was issued because Winston did not have a prior record. DISC village coordinated his punishment, which included community service.

“We receive the referral and then the offender makes contact with our program to set up a time to do an assessment to figure out what’s going on in that person’s life, what are the needs, how can we help them,” said Adult Civil Citation Director Jordan Cowart.

The Heisman winning quarterback traded out a football for a mop to complete his community service.  Winston completed four 5 hour shifts as maybe the most famous janitor to ever work at the YMCA.

“He did custodial work for us, he did a lot of cleaning around the branch, he visited with some of our members as well, and, by all accounts, he took care of what he needed to do,” said Capital Region YMCA President and C.E.O. Ray Purvis.

Winston’s attorney echoed what he said last week, saying the incident was stupid, and Winston could have paid for the dinner.

Winston told police that he picked up butter to go with his meal, but didn’t walk out of the store with it. The report says officers could not locate the butter at the store, but a Publix employee may have returned it to the proper place before police arrived.

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Cops Kill Concealed Carry During Emergencies

May 5th, 2014 by flanews

Florida’s 67 Sheriffs are as responsible as any group for killing legislation that would have allowed people being evacuated to carry a concealed weapon as if they had a permit. The failure of the legislation is one of the surprises of the 2014 legislative session.

The next time the national guard is being called out, evacuating Floridians will not be allowed to carry their guns as if they had a concealed weapon permit.

The carry legislation was moving quickly through the state legislature until the final week, when it screeched to a stop. The reason- Florida Sheriffs.

“They deal with a lot of societal issues and of course a lot of law enforcement issues,” said Sen. John Thrasher (R-St. Augustine), “and I think that the sheriffs weigh in pretty heavily in that and rightfully so, they should.”

Hundreds of police marched through the capital city on Monday, honoring their brethren who died in the last year, and believing the defeat of the legislation may have saved a life.

Fraternal Order of Police President James Preston says opposing the carry legislation was a tough and difficult decision.

“I fully respect the second amendment rights of these folks but, again, during these times of stress,” said Preston, “it could lead to accidents and we don’t want that to happen.”

Law enforcement was worried that someone could be evacuating Jacksonville, end up here in Tallahassee, and then go out to a night club carrying a gun, with no fear of being arrested.

Supporter Rep. Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala) is disappointed.

“We’re definitely a hurricane-prone state that you’re not sure you have your second amendment rights together to get your firearm,” said Baxley.

The carry in an emergency legislation is expected to be back next year.

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Police Honored Days After FHP Trooper Killed

May 5th, 2014 by flanews

Seven more names were added to Florida’s police memorial after losing their lives in the line of duty. Monday’s ceremonies happened just days after a state trooper was killed, leaving an open wound for law enforcement across the state.

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Florida law enforcement officers have been honoring the ones who lost their lives in the line of duty for 32 years.

“These are not just names without faces, these names represent Florida’s bravest, our finest brothers and sisters,” said Fraternal Order of Police President James Preston.

There are 771 names on the memorial. Seven were added Monday.  William and Candy Morales paid tribute to their son, Sergeant Gary Morales, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop last year.

“He’s honored along with all the others, all the other law enforcement people that passed away, it’s just a good feeling. And then of course it brings back memories that hurt,” said a choked up William Morales.

The ceremony comes just days after Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Chelsea Richard was killed while working a crash on I-75.

Richard was responding to a crash near Ocala on the side of the road.  Another accident near the original killed Richard and two others. The Attorney General said the tragedy is a reminder for Floridians.

“If you see an accident, move over, stop, change lanes, we have to do everything we can to protect our citizens and our law enforcement officers,” said Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

While the list of names on the memorial keeps getting longer, many hoped for the day when there would be no need for the ceremony.

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Florida to Legalize Low THC Medical Marijuana

May 2nd, 2014 by flanews

Low grade medical marijuana will soon be legal in Florida. Lawmakers waited until the final day of their session to send the bill legalizing low THC cannabis for the treatment of seizures, muscle spasms, and cancer. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the legislation took a strange turn in the end.

Eleven-year-old RayAnn Moseley is the face of medical marijuana in Florida. She faces hundreds of seizures and her parents have been on the front line fighting to use a new, low grade marijuana in oil form.

“We’ve got to see first-hand,” said mother Holly Moseley, “the success that that plant is having for these children and so we’re this close to getting it for RayAnn and the other children in Florida.”

15-year-old Daniel Dillard is in the same boat. His mother says he has more than 300 seizures a year. They don’t know if the new pot strain will help, but they are hopeful.

“So hopeful,” said Dillard. “You know it’s no guarantee, but if it helps even half of his seizures per year, that’s tremendous for him.”

Sponsor Bob Bradley (R-Orange Park) is a former prosecutor. He’s as surprised as anyone he sponsored the bill.

“It’s all about these folks and it’s all about getting them, these families, the choices that they need,” said Bradley.

There is one quirk in the legislation, the marijuana can only be grown by a nursery that’s been in business 30 years.

The 30-year provision nearly scuttled the bill as South Florida Senators tried to get rid of it.

They failed and the legislation cleared easily. It’s now on its way to the Governor who has said he will sign the medical marijuana bill. It becomes effective July first.

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How Much is 21 Years of Your Life Worth?

May 2nd, 2014 by flanews

A man who was wrongfully convicted of killing seven of his children is one step closer to justice tonight. James Richardson has been free since 1989, but his case is so old he does not qualify for money available to the wrongly convicted.

James Richardson spent 21 years in prison, five of them on death row for killing his seven children. He came within an hour of being executed for a crime he didn’t commit.

“I had nightmares and dreams and things wishing that I could just reach out and touch ’em again,” said Richardson. “Right now it’s so hard for me.”

Richardson was in the State Capitol Thursday where he was being honored by lawmakers.

“Something very bad happened in the history of the state of Florida,” said Rep. Dave Kerner (D-Palm Beach), “and we’re very happy to help him move on and have Florida turn the corner on that dark page in history.”

When Richardson’s innocence was proven and he was released in 1989, the state didn’t give him a dime.

“Thank God I’m free. Now I don’t have to worry about that problem no more. It’s all over,” Richardson said in an 1989 interview.

To this day, he doesn’t hold a grudge.

“I have no animosity,” Richardson said. “I want the people to know that I appreciate everything they do to help me continue on with my life.”

“The reason lawmakers have to act is because James Richardson’s case is so old, he isn’t covered by the statute that allows the wrongly convicted to be paid.”

Sponsor Dave Kerner says the legislation is about righting a wrong.

“He said it himself,” said Kerner. “There’s no amount of money in this world that’s gonna fix what happened to him. But at least it’s a form of recognition that we made a mistake.”

If signed by the Governor, Richardson will be eligible for 50 thousand dollars for each of the 21 years he was locked up as an innocent man.

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