Appeals Court Upholds Life Sentence Of Ashley McArthur For Murder Of Private Investigator
April 19, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY; THE SHOW HAS ALREADY AIRED. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS WILL NOT BE APPROVED OR POSTED.
The Florida First District Court of Appeal has upheld the first degree murder conviction and life sentence of a former crime scene investigator for killing a woman for money and burying her body on the family farm in Cantonment.
Ashley McArthur was convicted of shooting and killing private investigator and former police officer Taylor Wright over $34,000.
McArthur appealed, seeking a new trial because the jury inadvertently saw a photo of McArthur pointing a shotgun. She also argued that the trial court erroneously admitted statements that she made to law enforcement, certain cell phone records, and the victim’s text messages.
Wright went missing on September 8, 2017. McArthur emerged as a suspect after an investigation found her to be the last person known to be with the victim that day. McArthur’s bank records also showed that she deposited a $34,000 cashier’s check made out to the victim into her own checking account and later spent the money.
On October 19, 2017, investigators called McArthur to the Pensacola Police station to return her cell phone and then, after advising her of her Miranda rights, asked questions related to their ongoing missing-person investigation. McArthur told investigators that she had deposited a cashier’s check made out to the victim into a checking account that had her and the victim’s name on it. Investigators also asked McArthur about cell tower records showing her to be in Cantonment at a time that she claimed to be in Milton.
After the interview, the victim’s remains were found under concrete and potting soil along the fence line of a Cantonment farm off Britt Road, just west of County Road 97 near Muscogee Road. The farm was owned by McArthur’s aunt.
McArthur was charged with first-degree premeditated murder. Before trial, McArthur sought to suppress statements she made to investigators at the October interview as well as her cell phone records. She also filed a motion to exclude any statements or text messages from the victim as hearsay. The trial court denied McArthur’s motions to suppress and motion, and she proceeded to trial on the murder charge.
During the prosecution’s examination of one of its witnesses, a photo showing McArthur in the woods crouching in hunting gear and aiming a shotgun was briefly and inadvertently shown to the jury. McArthur moved for a mistrial on the grounds of prejudice. The trial court denied the motion, and she was found guilty as charged. She argued in her appeal that the trial court erred by not declaring a mistrial over the photo.
“We see no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s refusal to grant a mistrial due to the inadvertent display of the hunting photo. A photo of McArthur crouching in hunting gear and pointing a shotgun (not the murder weapon) accidentally flashed on the screen during trial and was before the jury for a second or two. After an objection, the court addressed the issue quickly by giving a cautionary instruction that was requested by the defense,” the appeals justices said in their order. “Other trial testimony had noted that McArthur owned firearms, and there were photos in evidence of her in camouflage holding or shouldering firearms. Taking these factors together, the trial court’s decision that the photo wasn’t so prejudicial as to vitiate the entire trial cannot be considered erroneous.”
The appeals court found that all of the statements related to the case made by McArthur after the return of her cell phone were made following the reading of her Miranda rights.
The appeals court also found that all of the victim’s text messages and statements were not hearsay. Rather, the court found they were relevant to establishing a timeline, motive and intent.
Pictured top: Taylor Wright. Pictured mug shot, inset: Ashley McArthur.
Payment Plan Available For Escambia Property Taxes, If You Apply By April 30
April 19, 2021
The deadline to enroll in Escambia County’s property tax payment installment plan is approaching.
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford said the installment application must be made in person until 4:30 p.m., April 30, and online until 11:59 p.m., April 30.
By utilizing this plan, taxpayers make four quarterly payments instead of one. For example, if a tax bill was $1,000, quarterly payments, due by the last day of each quarter, could be:
- June (first quarter) – $235.00
- September (second quarter) – $238.75
- December (third quarter) – $242.50
- March (fourth quarter) – $250.00
Online enrollment is easy. Property owners can visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
“The installment program not only helps ease the financial burden on taxpayers by allowing them to spread out the payments, it also provides a discount for making payments on time,” Lunsford said. “We currently have 5,002 property owners on the installment plan program.”.
Low Near 50 Tonight
April 19, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Some clouds, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 70. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Pensacola Habitat of Humanity Celebrates 40 Years With Dedication Of 1,400th Home
April 19, 2021
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with the dedication of their 1,400th home.
Home dedications are a way for Pensacola Habitat to welcome an individual or family into their new home where a faith-based leader, chosen by the homebuyer, blesses the home.
Since 1981, Pensacola Habitat has received help from thousands of volunteers from churches, civic groups, construction companies, banks, landowners, student groups, local businesses and beyond who have built or renovated 1,400 homes throughout the Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Pensacola Habitat is a communitywide effort and does not stray from its mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Among more than 1,000 U.S. affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, Pensacola Habitat was ranked 25th in the number of homes built in 2020. And they don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. In fact, they plan for quite the opposite.
“Pensacola Habitat has a proud history of serving as a leader in providing affordable housing opportunities to deserving individuals and families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Born out of the sheer will of Betty Salter and nurtured by community leaders, an engaged Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers and a committed, professional staff, Pensacola Habitat has grown into a significant organization that continues to make monumental improvements in the communities we serve. We look forward to expanding our reach and impact as we pursue this noble mission,” said CEO Sam Young.
Florida Gas Prices Hold Steady Over The Past Week
April 19, 2021
Florida gas prices held relatively steady over the past week, according to AAA.
The average state price for gas was $2.83 per gallon Sunday, a penny less than the previous week.
The lowest price per gallon Sunday night in North Escambia was $2.65 at a station on Muscogee Road in Cantonment, while the lowest in Escambia County was $2.59 at a couple of warehouse clubs.
“Gas prices have held relatively steady through the first half of April,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, some upward pressure appears to be moving back into the market, which could affect prices at the pump. Oil prices jumped 6% last week, in hopes that demand will continue to grow due to increased COVID-19 vaccinations, lower jobless claims in the U.S. and rising consumer sentiment.”
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Clayton Scott
April 19, 2021
Clayton Scott, age 89, a native of Bay Minette, Alabama, and a resident of Walnut Hill, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Clayton was employed for 30 years at Armstrong World Industries before retiring in 1992. He was well respected and made many friends over the years throughout the community. Above all, he had a loving, kind and giving heart. He especially loved the outdoors and about tending his garden.
Clayton is preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Burley Parker Scott, and 10 siblings.
Clayton is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Verna Lee Mason Scott; his daughters, Cynthia Koklas (Stephen), Penny Morton and Marsha Jordan; his sons, Christopher Scott (Cathy) and Chadrick Scott (Blair); his grandchildren, Kristina Shernoff, Kelly Koklas, Ryan Morton, Leigh McCormack, Joshua Scott, Danielle Dauson, Brittany Colley, Chelsea Ferguson, Jenna Johnson, Madison Norton, McKenzie Nassar, Madison Nassar, Mary Paige Nassar and Maggie Scott; and 20 great grandchildren.
Funeral service were held Friday, April 16, 202, at 3:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ted Bridges officiating. Interment followed at Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Walnut Hill, Florida.
Active pallbearers were Joey Colley, Rocky Ferguson, Stephen Johnson, Cullen Cochran, Kurt McCormack and Codye Dauson.
The family extends a special thank you to Emerald Coast Hospice, with special gratitude to Katie, Darcy, Becky and Jim.
Ira Brunette “Peggy” Green
April 19, 2021
Ira Brunette Green was born Ira Brunette Barrow, but she was known to most as “Peggy.” Peggy was born in Pollard, Alabama on January 3, 1932 and resided in Jay, FL and finally in Bunkie, LA where she went to be with the Lord on March 29, 2021. For many years, Peggy was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #208 Jay, FL. She was a born-again believer in Jesus Christ and loved attending church. Peggy was the social hub of the community and knew most everyone. She loved her family.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents: Ira G. Barrow and Lena Calloway Barrow of Century, FL, siblings: Ivey Barrow, Roy Barrow, Paul Faulk, Margie Brown, and Dorothy Cooper, a husband, Doug Green, a daughter, Amanda Carroll Reese, and a grandson, Shannon Steudlein.
She is survived by two daughters: Wanda F. Steudlein of Pensacola, and Dori (David) Ard of Bunkie, La.; seven grandchildren: Robin (Robert) White of Milton, FL, Sandy Hammond of Pensacola, FL, Robert E. Reese, Jr. of Jay, FL, Shawn Steudlein of Pensacola, FL, Wendy Lynn Valdez of Salt Lake City, UT, Hailey (Ky) Tran of Dallas, TX, and Madison (Stanton) Faulk of Lafayette, LA; eleven great-grandchildren: Derek (Brooke) Smith, Ryan Reese, Amanda O’Dell, Matthew Hammond, Brandon Hammond, Jacob Hammond, Hunter Sellers, Waylon Reese, Trinity Sellers, Summer Palmer, Victor Tran and one great-great-grandchild, Aubrey Smith, numerous nieces and nephews and
innumerable friends.
A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held for family and friends on Monday, April 26, 2021 from 4-6 pm at Pine Level Baptist Church in Jay, FL. Interment will follow at Pine Level Baptist Church Cemetery in Jay, FL.
Escambia County Sees 38 New COVID-19 Cases
April 19, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 38 new COVID-19 cases reported by the Florida Department of Health Sunday in Escambia County.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 35,457 (+38)
Non-Florida residents: 3,662
Recovered: 34,178*
Total deaths: 675
Long-term care facility deaths: 281
Current hospitalizations: 22
Number of tests reported last day: 474
Percent positive reported last day: 7.2%
Percent positive reported last week: 5.8%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 26,487 (+33)
Cantonment: 3,185 (+2)
Century: 1,175 (+2)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 488
McDavid: 211
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 53
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,986 (+19)
Non-Florida residents: 242
Total deaths: 282
Long-term care facility deaths: 81
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 878*
Number of tests reported last day: 280
Percent positive reported last day: 6.0%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,576 (+10)
Navarre: 3,711 (+3)
Gulf Breeze: 3,325 (+3)
Pace: 1,455 (+2)
Jay: 549 (+1)
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,168,901
Florida residents: 2,128,136
Deaths: 34,439
Hospitalizations: 88,213
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Delia Inez Lowrey Croley
April 19, 2021
Mrs. Delia Inez Lowrey Croley, age 86, passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola FL.
Mrs. Croley was a native of Century FL having lived in Montgomery for 14 years before returning to Century FL for the remainder of her life. She loved working her in and church with musical programs; she was a member of the Full Gospel Group having sung at various churches in the area; reading her Bible was a joy to her; she love to bake for family, making sure everyone had a special dessert; loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie A. and Mary Shivers Lowery; five brothers and two sisters; and a son, David Levon Croley.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Edgar L. Croley; a daughter, Angela June Croley of Century FL; a brother, Russell (Betty) Lowery of Flomaton, AL; grandchildren, Cheryl (Wayne) Ward of Century FL; and great grandchildren, Hayley, Lainey, and David.
A visitation will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from 11:30 to 1 PM.
Funeral services will be at 1 PM with Rev. James Peacock officiating on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will be at Flomaton Cemetery.
Highway 29 Lane Closures Planned Near Cantonment And Molino
April 19, 2021
As work continues to resurface Highway 29, drivers can expect the following road intermittent lane closures this week, according to the Florida Department of Transporation.
- Intermittent lane closures 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Cantonment area.
- Intermittent lane closures 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Neal Road, north of Cantonment, and north of Highway 97 in Molino.
Work may be delayed or reschedule due to inclement weather.
Pictured: Highway 29 in Cantonment looking north toward Well Line Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.