The following cases were all dismissed, dropped or nolle prossed.
Orange County
David Michael Huffman
2010-CF-018047-A-O
L/L Exhibition (2cts)
Defendant, a homeless sex offender, allegedly flashed a girl <12 yrs old at the Dollar Tree in Apopka
John Earl Huntt
2010-CF-018041-A-O
Possess Material Depicting Sexual Performance by Child (11cts)
Defendant has been a professional photographer for more than 20 years
Karen D Cerezo
2010-MM-002717-B-O
Battery DV
Defendant and her friend, former Deputy Belinda Mills, allegedly assaulted defendant's ex-husband. Mills was accepted in pretrial diversion; Defendant was rejected from pretrial diversion program
Melissa Ann Scivoletti
2010-CF-011725-A-O
Kidnapping; False Imprisonment; Force/Coerce Another to Prostitution
Defendant allegedly befriended the victim online, offered her a job at Wal-Mart, brought her to Pennsylvania and then Orlando with another co-conspirator where victim was forced to comply w/their demands
Neil Abraham Ramroop
2010-CF-014687-A-O
Kidnapping; Robbery; Battery DV; Tamper w/Witness Hinder Comm w/LEO
Defendant allegedly kidnapped the mother of his children from VCC, threatened to kill her family, and assaulted her. See earlier blog regarding this case.
Michael Wilson
2010-CF-010245-A-O
Sexual Battery (Coerces Victim) 3cts
Defendant allegedly raped a woman in a field behind a fire station near Heritage Park
Michael Reichert
2007-CF-010491-A-O
Possess Material Depicting Sexual Performance by Child (114 counts)
Defendant is a former UCF professor who claims a virus downloaded images onto his computer
Rosa Marie Pou
2010-CF-017909-A-O
Neglect Elderly/Disabled Adult w/o Great Harm; Resist Officer w/o Violence
Defendant allegedly abandoned her disabled teenaged son at Sea World's play area for 2+ hours
Marc W Blazejowski
2010-CF-005167-A-O
Aggravated Battery; Felony Battery
Defendant, a police officer in CT, is charged with choking his pregnant fiancee at Disney
Robert Jonathan Walyus
2010-CF-017915-A-O
Agg Stalking of Minor
Defendant was a janitor at McDonalds in Oviedo and allegedly exposed himself to a teen at the restaurant
Leon Chisholm
2011-MM-004010-A-O
Battery DV
Defendant's girlfriend, Melissa Johnson (2011CF5835) was allegedly attempting to get away from defendant before he was released from custody for this charge. Johnson's 14-yr old daughter was killed in a DWI crash.
Michael Thomas Henderson
2011-CF-006109-A-O
L/L Molestation Victim 12-15yrs; Video Voyeurism; Solicitation of Minor via Computer
Defendant allegedly used his volunteer position in his church's puppet ministry to meet and have inappropriate contact with his victim
Luis Gonzalez-Santiago
2010-CF-016010-A-O
Attempted Sexual Battery; Burglary of Dwelling w/Assault or Battery; Attempted Armed Burglary of Occupied Dwelling; Attempted Burglary Occupied Conveyance; Stalking; False Imprisonment; Battery DV
Defendant allegedly attacked a woman he used to live with after she drove him to meet his probation officer
Seminole County
Durand Brown
2010 CF 004144A
Neglect of Child
Defendant, a teacher at Eustis Middle School, was arrested after his 1-yr old son was found wandering alone wearing only a soiled diaper
Jeremy Decker
2010 CF 005223A
Kidnap / False Imprisonment; Possess Marijuana; Sexual Battery; Possess Drug Paraphernalia
Defendant & co-defendant Sarah Hand allegedly picked up a distraught woman, took her to their home, and sexually assaulted her
Sarah Hand
2010 CF 005223B
Kidnap / False Imprisonment; Possess Marijuana; Sexual Battery; Possess Drug Paraphernalia
Defendant & co-def Jeremy Decker allegedly picked up a distraught woman, took her to their home, and sexually assaulted her
Ronald Jackson
2010 CF 004994C
Lewd/Lascivious Battery Victim 12-15yrs old
Defendant & co-defs Joshua Gibson & Tracy Johnson allegedly gave a 14-yr old girl alcohol & marijuana, then sexually assaulted her
Aaron Floyd
2011 CF 002263A
Sexual Battery
Defendant, a student at UCF, allegedly assaulted a woman he met online at match.com & forced her to go to a pharmacy & take a 'morning after' pill
Timothy Cash
2011 MM 001091A
Assault DV
Defendant, a Windermere police officer with a history of misconduct while employed by OCSO & Kissimmee PD, allegedly threatened to kill his wife after drinking heavily.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Whatever happened to. . . ? #29
2009-CF-016110-A-O
Attempted 1st Degree Murder; Criminal Mischief, Aggravated Battery; Domestic Battery by Strangulation; Battery
Defendant allegedly assaulted his wife, poured gasoline on her & tried to set her on fire.
Defendant pled to Criminal Mischief, Felony Battery, Battery and was sentenced to 21.23 months in DOC with credit for 74 days time served.
2003-CF-002031-A-O
Murder; Sexual Battery WDW; Burglary of Dwelling
Defendant allegedly raped and murdered a 78-yr old woman in 1988 and subsequently gouged out his own eyes while in custody - def has been hospitalized for psych issues for several years. Defendant sued Orange Co jail in 1998 claiming his blindness could have been prevented w/proper care.
Defendant pled to counts 1 & 2, Burglary count was nolle prossed. Defendant was sentenced to LIFE in DOC with credit for time served.
2008-CF-002755-A-O
Attempted 1st Degree Murder; Shoot Missile Into Vehicle; Discharge Firearm From Vehicle; Aggravated Child Abuse
Defendant allegedly got into a road rage shootout with Louis Davis (2008CF2754) while driving his vehicle. Children were present in Davis' vehicle during incident.
Case was dismissed. Davis' case was nolle prossed 12/08.
2010-CF-001511-A-O
1st Degree Murder
Defendant was arrested as a result of new DNA testing for the 1995 cold case murder of Angela Gary, a known prostitute with whom the defendant had sex just prior to her death.
Defendant was found guilty after jury trial and sentenced to LIFE in DOC.
2010-CF-006752-A-O
1st Degree Murder w/Weapon
Defendant allegedly stabbed her husband to death at their home after first attempting to shoot him with a gun she didn't know how to operate - victim was packing his belongings to leave
Defendant was found guilty by jury and sentenced to 25 years DOC.
2009-CF-016599-A-O
Attempted 1st Degree Murder; Aggravated Battery w/Deadly Weapon (2cts)
Defendant allegedly conspired to have a romantic rival shot in the face. The alleged shooter was Kyle Grayson 2009CF16486 whose case was dropped. Defendant was subsequently arrested for violating PTR conditions in Seminole County, claiming his dog bit his GPS device off his ankle and eluding police for 2 days.
Defendant was acquitted by jury in this case.
2010-CF-009948-A-O
1st Degree Murder
Defendant allegedly shot his uncle to death
Defendant was found guilty by jury trial and sentenced to LIFE in DOC.
Seminole County 2009 CF 002737A
Attempted 1st Deg Murder; Burglary of Conveyance w/Battery; False Imprisonment; Robbery
Defendant allegedly tried to strangle a woman who gave him a ride home from a party in 8/08. Def is a suspect in the disappearance of Tracy Ocasio.
Defendant was found guilty by jury and sentenced to LIFE in DOC
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Jurors need our protection
Watch his comments at this motion where media outlets were arguing to know who the jurors were.
This case created a maelstrom of publicity and public opinion. There is no doubt in my mind that some members of the public might feel as though they need to seek justice for Caylee and feel entitled to impose their own kind of vigilante justice upon the good citizens who did their job. There are people out there who could conceivably stalk, terrorize, or even assault the people who served our community for nearly 2 months, all in the name of "Justice for Caylee."
In spite of all the arguments for "transparency" and "justice," there is no good reason to divulge the jurors names to anyone. If they choose to step forward and do interviews, that's their choice. Not the choice of some media hounds or psychopathic citizens.
Judge Perry is rightly concerned with what previous case law says on the subject. But this issue is important enough to make new case law. It's tough enough to get people to answer their jury summonses. Why hamper the System's ability to seat a jury in high profile cases, or other less publicized but potentially threatening to juror cases?
With the abundance of personal information that's available to anyone with an internet connection, our Courts need to protect jurors from those who might be unhappy with their verdict - whether it's a high profile case or one that never made the news.
See also this interview with the jury foreman, who wishes to remain anonymous.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Singer's attorney needs to change his tune
During the course of the bond hearing, Mr. Rodriguez was asked if he would be willing to give up his passport, but he declined. The defendant claimed he would be unable to go to his international singing jobs if it was relinquished. Prosecutor Robert Westmoreland asked that Mr. Rodriguez not be given bond due to the liklihood of him leaving the country.
Mr. Suarez began his presentation by recounting his client's singing career and all the awards he has won since age 16. The State objected due to relevance, and Counsel stated the testimony had a purpose, but CourtWatch never heard the judge's ruling.
Mr. Suarez volunteered to be responsible for his client and accompany him to a July 9th gig in Bethleham, Pennsylvania. Apparently Mr. Rodriguez was under contract and had already received a retainer for the event, but could not cash the check in good faith until he knew whether he was going to be a "free man" to fulfill his obligation.
The victim testified that she was afraid of the defendant and believed that he would attack her again, but wanted him released so he could make money to support her and the child they are raising together.
With respect to the violation charge, Defense Counsel asserted that when Mr. Rodriguez went to the victim's home, he had not yet been served the civil injunction papers (filed in April) so therefore should not be considered in contempt or held accountable for this violation. The State agreed that Mr. Rodriguez had not been served with the civil injunction, but was aware of the criminal court's no contact order when he was granted bond on March 21, 2011 on the strangulation charge. Mr. Rodriguez allegedly deliberately disregarded that order and went to her home. The defendant is charged with violating the pretrial release conditions in the criminal case, not violating a civil injunction.
Judge Adams agreed with the State, found that the defendant had disregarded the no contact order and denied the defendant's motion for bond.
Kudos to Judge Adams.
Here's where the "real" victim intimidation begins.
As Mr. Suarez started to leave the courtroom he looked over, leaned toward the victim and sarcastically said "CONGRATULATIONS..." The rest of what he said was not as loud, but sounded like "you won" or "you got what you wanted." The eyes flew wide open and mouths dropped by everyone that heard his comment. He started out the door, took 2 steps back in and asked her to come outside with him to talk. She sat there in confusion (or embarrassment) discussing what had just happened with her advocate from the State Attorney's Office.
Mr. Suarez then returned to the courtroom approximately 30 seconds later, called her by name, and asked her again to join him in the hall to speak with him. She and her advocate then walked out to meet him attorney in the hallway.
Moments later, the advocate came back to the courtroom, alone. The victim never returned.
Comments to what we had all just witnessed were being discussed by the deputy sherriff and several spectators in the gallery. What a horrible display of victim intimidation and manipulation by Mr. Suarez. This behavior is rude and inappropriate for a member of the Bar.
CourtWatch wishes the judge could have witnessed the comments. It would have been interesting to see how he would respond to such behavior. Unfortunately, he and the prosecutor were discussing a different case with another defense attorney.
CourtWatch has seen more than our share of victim intimidation on the stand or during cross examination by defense attorneys, but this was the most egregious example of intimidation after a judge had ruled upon a case that we can recall. Sanctions should be imposed on Mr. Suarez for the manner in which he treated this victim.
On 6/28/11, just a few days after the above bond hearing, Mr. Rodriguez was represented by Gustavo Padron (Mr. Suarez's partner) and pled to domestic battery by strangulation, possession of controlled substance & violation of pretrial release conditions on a DV case. Adjudication was withheld. Defendant was sentenced to probation, drug counseling, 75 hours of community service, ordered to complete the 26 week batterer's intervention program, and have no hostile contact with the victim. He was permitted to travel within the USA while on probation. No international travel is permitted until his probation has been successfully completed. The victim did not attend the plea & sentencing.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Justice delayed is justice denied
So said 19th Century British Prime Minister William Gladstone (1809-1898).
While in court this afternoon, one judge mentioned the possibility that the courts would be closed for 4 days next week and 10 days in May because of budget issues. Apparently we won't know until Governor Rick Scott decides whether or not to approve the legislature's loan to temporarily fund this extremely important branch of government. Today's Sentinel reports:
So where does public safety fit in? After all, that's what our judiciary is tasked with enforcing. A year or two ago, the justice system comprised only 3% of the State budget. It wouldn't surprise me if it's less than that now.Gov. Rick Scott says he remains optimistic that lawmakers will deliver his corporate tax cuts over the next month on top of the roughly $4 billion in cuts the Legislature is proposing for classrooms, health-care for the poor and benefit cuts to public workers. Click here for the rest of the article. I will try to refrain from getting on a soapbox about the possibility of giving corporations $458 million when we can't /won't fund our own courts.
A justice system that is incapable of doing its job will one day implode. In my 4 years as a courtwatcher, I have seen the number of prosecutors in the courtroom diminish. I have seen an increase in the number of "Expiration of Speedy" notices on the court dockets. I have seen defendants receive minimal consequences for their crimes with plea bargains because savvy defense attorneys know that the State can't possibly bring every case to trial.
The irony is that by closing the courts, we will incur additional expenses in having to house inmates for lengthier periods of time as they await their day in court. Families in the throes of divorce or custody battles will have to wait longer to see a judge, thus ratcheting up these volatile situations into a higher potential for violence. Further creating more of a burden on the justice system, which then teaches the majority of criminals that the consequences for breaking the law won't be too severe until you have a few felony convictions under your belt.
US Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger once noted:
A sense of confidence in the courts is essential to maintain the fabric of ordered liberty for a free people and three things could destroy that confidence and do incalculable damage to society: that people come to believe that inefficiency and delay will drain even a just judgment of its value; that people who have long been exploited in the smaller transactions of daily life come to believe that courts cannot vindicate their legal rights from fraud and over-reaching; that people come to believe the law - in the larger sense - cannot fulfill its primary function to protect them and their families in their homes, at their work, and on the public streets.Justice delayed is indeed justice denied.
Burger, What's Wrong With the Courts: The Chief Justice Speaks Out, U.S. News & World Report (vol. 69, No. 8, Aug. 24, 1970) 68, 71 (address to ABA meeting, Aug. 10, 1970).
For the accused, their victims, and our community.
Click here for more on the story. Send an email to the governor to tell him how foolish it would be to not approve this funding.
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