Jury Trial Recessed For Molino Pharmacy ‘Underwear Robber’
April 28, 2012
The trial of a Molino man accused of robbing a local pharmacy in 2010 while wearing underwear on his head was delayed Friday over the availability of a witness.
The jury trial of Joseph Daniel Flowers, now 58, got underway Thursday on multiple charges including robbery with a firearm and several drug possession charges for the September 20, 2010, holdup of Scott’s Pharmacy on Highway 29,
On the first day of the trial, Judge Gary Bergosh denied a defense motion to disallow video of the robbery and denied a defense request for acquittal. The court was recessed until 8:30 Friday morning.
Over objections by the State Attorney’s Office, a defense motion to delay the trial was granted by Bergosh due to the availability of a key defense witness. Bergosh recessed the trial until Monday morning.
Also on Friday, the defense filed motions to exclude surveillance video. The defense is also asking that evidence and testimony from the trial of Krystal Lynn Collins, the getaway car driver in the armed robbery. Collins was previously found guilty of armed robbery with a firearm and a half dozen felony drug charges. She was sentenced was 25 years in prison.
Flowers allegedly robbed the pharmacy while wearing a bathrobe, slippers, yellow kitchen gloves and underwear on his head. His trial was delayed for months before he was declared competent to stand trial. Flowers is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Pictured top: Joseph Daniel Flowers is detained by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office shortly after the robbery of Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino. Pictured below: Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino was robbed September 20, 2010. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Supreme Court Upholds New Senate District Maps
April 28, 2012
The Florida Supreme Court upheld a second draft of new maps for state Senate districts in a splintered decision Friday, clearing one of the remaining barriers for the plan to go into effect for this fall’s elections.
The court’s ruling, which came after the justices voided the first Senate plan approved by the Legislature, was a victory for the Senate’s Republican leadership and removed the prospect that justices would draw the map themselves as part of the state’s once-a-decade redistricting process. The court upheld the House map in the earlier decision.
“Pursuant to this Court’s directive, the Legislature adopted a revised Senate apportionment plan that sought to remedy the constitutional infirmities apparent on the face of the invalidated Senate plan,” the court wrote. “In this proceeding, we conclude that the opponents have failed to demonstrate that the revised Senate plan as a whole or with respect to any individual district violates Florida’s constitutional requirements.”
Three justices who had helped form the 5-2 majority scrapping the first Senate plan — Justices Barbara Pariente, Fred Lewis and Jorge Labarga — fully supported the decision. Chief Justice Charles Canady and Justice Ricky Polston, who dissented in the first case, supported the court’s result.
Lawmakers involved in drawing the lines hailed the ruling.
“We were pleased that the court approved our amended plan, and that elections can go forward,” said Senate Reapportionment Chairman Don Gaetz, R-Niceville.
Democratic Party spokeswoman Brannon Jordan said the party held the GOP’s legislative majority “accountable” by challenging both maps and having the first thrown out by the justices.
“While today’s ruling raises serious concerns, we will continue our efforts to hold this Republican-led legislature accountable to the will of the people — something they have consistently ignored throughout this process,” she said.
By The News Service of Florida
Photos: Atmore Walks For A Cause
April 28, 2012
The 2012 Atmore Relay for Life was held Friday night at Tom Byrne Park. The six-hour event, ending at midnight, raised almost $60,000 for the American Cancer Society.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Survivor’s Lap at the 2012 Atmore Relay for Life was held Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Man Charged After Wreck That Backed Up Traffic Across Bay
April 28, 2012
A Jay resident is facing charges after slamming into a parked truck, backing up traffic during rush hour across Escambia Bay Friday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 57-year old Robert Leslie Mezza was eastbound on Highway 90 about half mile west of Woodbine Road when he ran his 2003 GMC van off the road and into an unoccupied 1997 Dodge Dakota pickup that was parked on the shoulder.
The impact of the 4:30 p.m. crash sent the pickup into the wood line along the highway. Mezza’s van continued eastbound, hit a guardrail and overturned onto its side across the eastbound lanes of Highway 90.
Mezza was charged with careless driving and driving while license suspended/revoked.
Pictured: The back of a parked pickup truck that was rear-ended by a Jay man Friday afternoon. Photo by Wayne Bolton, Jr. for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Names Released In Officer Involved Shooting
April 28, 2012
The name of a woman and the deputy who shot her after she pointed a gun at him last week in Escambia County have been released.
The suspect was identified Friday afternoon by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 24-year-old Shanerika Thomas of Pensacola. She was shot by deputy Brett Heuback, who has been employed as an ECSO deputy since December 2006.
Deputies responded to a disturbance at the Fairfield Villa Apartments on April 20 about 10:30 p.m. where they found Thomas outside an apartment waving a gun. Thomas was warned multiple times to put the weapon down, but refused. Heuback fired when she pointed the gun at him, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Neighbors said the Thomas had been arguing with a man over about $15 in babysitting money. She allegedly swung a stick at the man before returning to her apartment and retrieving the gun.
Thoma was taken to a local hospital where she is undergoing treatment. Her condition has not been released.
Heuback was placed on paid administrative leave — as is standard in all officer involved shootings — pending the outcome of a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation.
Molino’s Kelly Tosses No Hitter For East Hill
April 28, 2012
Molino resident Jacob Kelly tossed a no hitter for East Hill Christian School on Friday evening in a Panhandle Christian Conference tournament game.
Kelly went 3-3 with three RBI’s to beat Atmore Christian Academy 10-0 in five innings. Kelly missed a perfect game by walking two batters in the second inning. Out of the 17 batters that he faced, Kelly struck out nine. Atmore players committed five errors combined with nine hits from East Hill batters to give the Eagles the win. Kelly, 16, is a sophomore.
Ben Kaderly, also a Molino resident and a member of the East Hill team, reached third on two bunts due to Atmore throwing errors. Kaderly is also a sophomore at East Hill and he plays outfield and catcher.
Kelly is 5 -1 on the season with 89 strikeouts in only 36⅓ innings pitched. He has given up 10 earned runs and currently has an ERA of 1.93. He is batting .393 on the year.
The Eagles are 5-3 on the season and play Central Christian for the West Region Championship to be held in Loxley, Ala., on Saturday.
Scott Vetoes Tuition Hikes
April 28, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a bill Friday that would have allowed the University of Florida and Florida State University to increase tuition by virtually unlimited amounts.
The governor’s action on the measure (HB 7129) turned aside the pleas of higher education officials and business leaders who said it would make the schools more competitive. It’s also in keeping with Scott’s recent emphasis on holding down the cost of living in the state.
“While this decision has not been easy, I do not feel that I can sign this bill into law without a more detailed plan to ensure the increased tuition requirements on Florida students will provide the return they and other Floridians need on their additional investment,” Scott wrote in a letter announcing the veto.
Scott called instead for the Board of Governors to craft a plan for each university “tied to degree production and geographic location” and to scour the state’s higher education system for waste and inefficiency.
The governor also said he would begin “a further review of higher education options” next week, though he didn’t specify what that review might include or what the options might be.
While the measure would have initially allowed only UF and FSU to offer plans for raising tuition beyond the 15 percent annual increase allowed by state law, eventually any institution that met 11 of 14 standards spelled out in the bill could submit proposals to do so. The Board of Governors would still have to approve the plans.
Officials with state universities and the board expressed frustration with the decision, especially at a time when state funds for higher education have been dwindling. University president repeatedly emphasized during the debate that Florida has some of the lowest tuition rates in the nation.
“I am very disappointed that the Governor vetoed a bill that enjoyed widespread support and would have elevated our university system to greater national prominence — something that would benefit all Floridians,” Board of Governors Chairman Dean Colson said in a statement issued late Friday. “Hopefully, someday soon, the State will decide to provide our universities with the tools they need to compete on a national stage.”
In an email to faculty and staff, FSU President Eric Barron was even more blunt about the effects of the veto.
“There is no doubt that this will slow our plans, given that the Legislature continues to take away resources,” Barron wrote.
In addition to higher education officials, an influential group of business leaders also endorsed the bill. The Florida Council of 100 wrote Scott two weeks ago urging him to approve the measure.
“When 50 to 60 percent of graduates have no debt, and average debt levels are again below those of the nationally preeminent institutions, it becomes a matter of personal responsibility in addition to access,” the letter says. “Market forces can’t optimally drive improved performance if students don’t have appropriate skin in the game.”
By The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Sentenced To Life For Murder, Robbery
April 28, 2012
An Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison Friday for murder and robbery.
Ortavious Devon Wilson, 33, was sentenced to life as a prison releasee reoffender after being convicted of second degree felony murder and robbery with a firearm.
During the early morning hours of January 9, 2011, Wilson and Eddie Peterson robbed Cornell Stallworth at gunpoint across from the Blue Bar on Mobile Highway. During the robbery, Stallworth was able to retrieve his own firearm from his vehicle and fatally shot Peterson.
Flomaton Sweeps Playoff Games Against Cottage Hill
April 28, 2012
The Flomaton Hurricanes swept Cottage Hill Christian Friday in Flomaton to advance to the third round of the Class 2A baseball playoffs.
The Flomaton Hurricanes beat the Cottage Hill Warriors the first second round playoff 6-2. Zack Watson (9-2) started on the mound and completed the game and earned his 100th strikeout of the year. He has 103 on the year and 312 career strikeouts. Lee Cockrell took the loss for the Warriors.
Batting:
Andrew Cash 1-2 1B, 2 R
Hunter Bonds 2-2 3B, 1B, 2 R
James Dean 1-3 2B, RBI, R
Zack Watson 2-3 2 1B, 2 RBI, R
Trey Weeks 1-2 2B, 2 RBI
Jacob Newton 1-3 1B
Pitching:
Zack Watson 7IP 10K 1ER 6 hits allowed CG W
Second Game
The Flomaton Hurricanes beat the Cottage Hill Warriors in the second game of the second round playoff series 7-0. Joseph Parker (9-1) started and finished the game for the Hurricanes and only allowed one hit in seven innings. Johnathan Williams took the loss for the Warriors. The Hurricanes improve their record to 27-4 and are advancing to the third round of the playoffs against the winner of Wicksburg/G.W. Long matchup.
Batting:
Andrew Cash 0-2 R, SB
Hunter Bonds 2-3 3B, 1B, RBI, 2 R, SB
James Dean 1-2 1B, RBI, R, SB
Zack Watson 1-2 1B, RBI, R, 2 SB
Trey Weeks 1-4 1B
Jacob Newton 2-2 2B, 1B, RBI
Tristian McAnally 0-3 R
Joseph Parker 0-2 R
Pitching:
Joseph Parker 7IP 8K 3W 0ER 1 hit allowed CG W
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Make It Two In A Row With 8-2 Win Over Suns
April 28, 2012
Joel Guzman jump started the Blue Wahoos offense with his two-run homer in the fourth inning, and the Wahoos cruised to an 8-2 win over the Jacksonville Suns behind a strong start by Daniel Corcino on Friday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Already leading 3-0, the Blue Wahoos added some cushion with a five-run seventh. Ryan LaMarre, Josh Fellhauer, Yordanys Perez and Miguel Rojas all collected hits in the inning to contribute to the rally. Pensacola batted around in the frame sending 11 guys to the plate as the Blue Wahoos went up 8-0.
All seven hitters in the Blue Wahoos lineup that collected a hit in the game had exactly two hits. LaMarre, Henry Rodriguez and Guzman all scored a pair of runs to go with their hits. Guzman and Yordanys Perez also added a pair of RBI in the game.
Jacksonville scored single runs in the seventh and ninth innings against Blue Wahoos relievers after Corcino went 5.1 shutout innings. He allowed just three hits, he walked three and struck out three. The right-hander got credit for the win, his first of the season. Jacksonville starter Zach Neal (L, 2-2) was charged with the loss after allowing three runs on 10 hits over six innings.
Game four of the five-game set is Saturday night beginning at 5:05 CT when the Blue Wahoos send righty Tim Crabbe (1-0, 4.74) to the mound against Suns left-hander Graham Taylor (1-1, 4.09).
By Tommy Thrall