Whatever Happened to . . . ? #15

Back in November, the Orange County Clerk's office underwent a conversion to improve the availability of information in its computer system. As with any computer conversion, the road gets a bit bumpy at times. One enhancement is the ability to view document images as pdf files without having to pull the actual hard copies.

Unfortunately, however, important information on the myclerk public access is currently limited. Sentencing information is not as readily available as it once was.

CourtWatch has had to rely upon the efforts of staff members at the Clerk's office to aid us in obtaining this valuable information. Our deepest appreciation goes out to all those who've assisted us.

Randall Spencer
Defendant pled in November, 2009 to the charges highlighted in red below:

• 2008-CF-005570-A-O (offense 9/20/08)
  Burglary of dwelling w/assault or battery; Burglary; Sexual Battery WDW/Physical force; Agg Assault WDW; False Imprisonment
• 2008-CF-016163-A-O (offense 9/24/08)
  Sexual Battery; Burglary
• 2008-CF-016419-A-O (offense 10/14/08)
  Kidnap w/Intent to Inflict Harm/Terror w/Weapon (2cts); Home Invasion Robbery (2cts); Att Sexual Battery w/Deadly Weapon/Force; Sexual Battery w/Deadly Weapon/Force (2cts); Kidnap w/Intent to Commit Felony (2cts); False Imprisonment (3cts); Possess Firearm by Convicted Felon
• 2008-CF-005571-A-O (offense 10/23/08)
  Burglary; Sexual Battery WDW/Physical Force; False Imprisonment

Sentencing was once cancelled because defendant was on suicide watch. After graphic testimony from several victims, the sentencing was continued to enable defense witnesses to testify. On 2/25/10, Spencer was sentenced to 2 LIFE sentences + 30 years + 15 years, to be served consecutively. Kudos to Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Vescio and to Judge Tim Shea for putting Spencer away for good.

Christopher Brannon

2009-CF-014511-A-O

Burglary w/Assault or Battery

We previously blogged about Brannon here. 

On March 12, 2010 he pled no contest to Trespass to an Occupied Structure, adjudication was withheld. He was sentenced to 12 days jail with credit for 12 days time served, 353 days probation, no contact with the victim, no return to scene of offense, pay restitution, and to complete the 26 week Batterer's Intervention Program.

Myrlaine Goudou

2008-CF-005958-A-O

1st Degree Murder

Defendant pled to killing her boyfriend, Quisnel Moise. She was sentenced to 30 years in the Department of Corrections.

Marcal Graham

2009-CF-008789-B-O

1st Degree Murder

Defendant was allegedly hired by Jessica Schambron to kill her boyfriend (robbery was allegedly the motive).

Graham was found not guilty by a jury on 4/13/10.

Charges were subsequently dropped against Schambron on 4/16/10.

Like Father, Like Son?

Yesterday afternoon CourtWatch monitored a bond motion for 19-year old Winter Garden resident Christopher Brannon, who had been arrested on 10/1/09 for Burglary with Assault or Battery (a felony punishable by life in prison) against his ex-girlfriend, who is 17-years old.  Assistant State Attorney Michelle Latham did a thorough job of demonstrating the defendant's propensity toward violent behavior directed at the victim.

In addition to testimony about his stalking behavior, State witnesses testified about three separate instances of alleged vandalism to her vehicle (dents, a broken window, slashed tires), tearing a dress she owned (not while she was wearing it), gaining access to the home without permission, punching holes into interior doors, and making suicide threats.  The victim has repeatedly not wanted to pursue a criminal case. That is, until this assault on October 1st wherein he shoved his way into her home while her mother was at work, grabbed her, shattered her cell phone, and smashed the back of her head into a table - all because he just wanted to talk to her and she repeatedly begged him to leave.

This young man scares me. He looks like such a nice young man. In fact, that's what all the witnesses for the defense testified. They talked about how polite and well-mannered he is when he visits their homes. I wonder if they've ever seen him spend time with his girlfriend. His actions at such a young age demonstrate textbook Power & Control Wheel behavior.

This young man's father scares me too. He took pride in mentioning his service to our country as a Marine, and is now employed as an intelligence analyst for a defense contractor (something I admire & greatly appreciate). His demeanor, however, screamed "power and control" to me. He minimized his son's previous brush with the law (a petit theft charge), repeatedly stated "I can assure you..." or "I can state unequivocally..." that he would stay on top of his son should Judge Alicia Latimore see fit to grant a bond. He stressed the "Marine traits" of honesty, dependability, trustworthiness, and respect for authority as traits that he had instilled in his son. He testified that his son assumes the role of "man of the house" when dad travels for his job. Even though the attorneys and the judge questioned him several times about how extensively he travels, a clear answer was never given (i.e., how many nights per month he was out of town). I also wonder, is Mom not capable of running the household when her husband is away? Why would a teenager be given this kind of authority when Mom is there?

And then Judge Latimore commented that perhaps Dad had impulse control issues because he had to be ejected from the courtroom last week for losing his temper at a previous hearing. I'm sorry I missed that hearing.

Ultimately, the judge granted a $15,000 bond (which was $10,000 more than defense counsel Michael Lafay requested), home confinement in his parents' home (except when working or as otherwise approved by the home confinement officer), ordered no contact with the victim or her family, stay more than 1 mile away from the victim's residence and 1/2 mile away from her high school, and to possess no weapons.

I am unclear as to why GPS tracking was not ordered.  If the judge is going to permit Mr. Brannon to go to work, he needs to be tracked. The victim's home is only 4 miles away from his. And her high school is only 1/2 mile away from where he lives.

Both Brannons frighten me.

But what frightens me most is that a young girl is at now at risk because her ex-boyfriend in out of jail without GPS tracking to monitor his movements.