tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:44:46 +0000CourtWatch Florida is a volunteer organization that monitors domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse cases in Orange &amp; Seminole County courtrooms.http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/laura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)Blogger100125Courtwatcherhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-102445413422893694Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:51:00 +00002009-11-11T07:44:46.360-05:00Judge Bob LeBlancJerry Allen HenryLes HessAs reported in the Sentinel on September 14, 2007.... Morgan Willis may have died because he wouldn't get off the phone. His nephew and a nephew's friend beat, kicked and stabbed him, cut his throat, then urinated on him -- all because he was tying up the line when the nephew was waiting for a call from his girlfriend, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Jerry Allen Henry, age 22http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/GxckeCZIvGs/three-co-defendants-four-wasted-lives.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/GxckeCZIvGs" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/11/three-co-defendants-four-wasted-lives.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-8038758397989753143Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:56:00 +00002009-11-10T20:57:07.875-05:00Judge Marc LubetMelissa StockhamRyan WilliamsPedro Antuna Last week, three CourtWatchers monitored the three day trial of Pedro Antuna, who was charged with seven counts of Sexual Activity w/Child, one count Lewd/Lascivious Conduct, and five counts of Lewd/Lascivious Battery over the course of 6 years beginning mid-2000. Mr. Antuna was clean-shaven with a neat haircut and well dressed with a suit and tie, as though to project the message that someone http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/tYsKmrTfakA/defendant-sentences-himself-to-death.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/tYsKmrTfakA" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/11/defendant-sentences-himself-to-death.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-6162127289064289450Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:29:00 +00002009-11-10T19:29:58.743-05:00Lisa NowakColleen ShipmanJudge Marc LubetBill OelefeinDonald Lykkebak I think the general consensus after today's hearing is that all parties concerned are glad it's over. The victim, the judge, reporters, and most especially, the defendant. The saga that began with Lisa Nowak's arrest on February 5, 2007 ended with a packed courtroom and a sentence of 1 year probation nearly 3 years after the offense. As we waited outside the courtroom, not even the prosecutorshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/e6uypU9j71Q/lisa-nowak-media-frenzy.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/e6uypU9j71Q" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/11/lisa-nowak-media-frenzy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-1420215455348083926Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:18:00 +00002009-11-08T18:25:11.205-05:00Jeffrey Allan EymannEric TomaselloSometimes cases show up on the Watchlists that never quite made it into the media. Sometimes they did at time of arrest, but were resolved without fanfare. Every so often, as we monitor these cases and discover their dispositions, we think the public should know what happened. Here are some recent ones that we think you might find of interest: State v. Jeffrey Allan Eymann 2009-CF-004477-O http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/DKZz8l42-QA/whatever-happened-to.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/DKZz8l42-QA" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/11/whatever-happened-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-1952464138941464760Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:21:00 +00002009-11-05T18:24:42.444-05:00Eric TrabinMichael ManningJudge Tim SheaOnce again, Judge Tim Shea let a defendant off the hook for domestic violence - not even letting the jury determine whether or not he was guilty. Yesterday was Michael Dwayne Manning's day in court. He was charged with Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Person for assaulting the mother of his unborn child. The victim had signed a declination of prosecution a few days after he was released from http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/TcpNLsWNH7Y/another-defendant-off-hook.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/TcpNLsWNH7Y" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/11/another-defendant-off-hook.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-963276499120191861Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:32:00 +00002009-11-05T00:32:52.103-05:00budget cutsA Place for ChildrenAs I walked through the lobby at the Orange County Courthouse this afternoon, I spotted a sign that told of another budget cut fatality. A Place for Children, providing a safe place for parents to leave their children while they attend court since June 1998, will shut down in two weeks for lack of funding. Per the Ninth Judicial Circut's website: Children are routinely brought to the Courthouse http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/9FgIrWsu2t0/budget-cuts-kill-valuable-program-at.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/9FgIrWsu2t0" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/11/budget-cuts-kill-valuable-program-at.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-7540241245832578990Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:34:00 +00002009-10-29T11:07:07.674-04:00HalloweenSex OffenderFlorida Department of Corrections probation officers will be out in force on Halloween, making sure sex offenders are not participating in Halloween activities involving children. Through surprise home visits and increased surveillance, probation officers are working closely with local law enforcement agencies statewide to keep Halloween safe for children. Probation Officers will instruct sex http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/3QySzjmeHJk/halloween-sex-offenders-dont-mix.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/3QySzjmeHJk" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-sex-offenders-dont-mix.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-6265520809170783351Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:59:00 +00002009-10-26T11:56:40.325-04:00Family TiesMichelle LathamCourt ProgramsChristopher PasqualeJudge Rand WallisCharlie Anthony JacksonCharles WillitsI attended a Motion to Remove GPS Monitoring Device in Judge F. Rand Wallis' courtroom Friday. The defendant, Charlie Anthony Jackson, has a degree from FSU and works in a high paying MIS job that requires him to travel often. He is now living at a hotel in Jacksonville (previously having commuted to his job from Orlando), and claimed that the GPS monitoring device provided by Court Programs has http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/T488T5NJVRU/price-of-pretrial-freedom.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/T488T5NJVRU" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/10/price-of-pretrial-freedom.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-1743339520908789886Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +00002009-10-29T11:16:57.240-04:00domestic violenceA new study shows what advocates and batterer accountability groups have been saying all along – domestic violence is a choice, not a loss of control. While batterers may claim that they "lost their temper," this is just another excuse in a long list of excuses for their violent behavior. Below is the study that was just released. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-10/uoh-vbc101809.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/4p5NaEJEKRM/domestic-violence-is-choice.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/4p5NaEJEKRM" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/10/domestic-violence-is-choice.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-2124341766206265083Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:37:00 +00002009-10-16T20:29:38.111-04:00stalkingMatch.cominjunctionJudge online datingTheotis BronsonOnline dating sites can be a great way to meet people. But caution must be taken when you decide to go this route.  Eleven years ago, I met the man against whom I have an injunction online. And 7 years ago I met my wonderful husband in cyberspace. So I tell anyone who is considering this avenue to meet people to take precautions to be safe. More about that later.... I had occasion to monitor a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/SiS1YUWCBgU/mis-matchcom.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/SiS1YUWCBgU" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/10/mis-matchcom.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-8238677883918337672Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:14:00 +00002009-10-15T08:02:00.910-04:00Michelle LathamJudge Alicia LatimoreChristopher Brannon 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 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/TWDGhJwrs3I/yesterday-afternoon-courtwatch.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/TWDGhJwrs3I" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/10/yesterday-afternoon-courtwatch.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-3458358021393519281Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:03:00 +00002009-10-13T21:03:34.186-04:00Judge Alan DickeySeveral weeks ago I wrote about a dreadful custody case in Seminole County, "One Father's Victimization by the System" where a man was threatened with 90 days jail if he didn't produce thousands of dollars to pay his wife's legal fees. Tragically, on October 8, Judge Alan Dickey ordered this dad into jail when he failed to produce $25,000. As of this moment, he is still incarcerated. One http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/v13klZm38uA/injustice-in-seminole-county-courtroom.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)7<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/v13klZm38uA" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/10/injustice-in-seminole-county-courtroom.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-166602468536253997Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:22:00 +00002009-10-13T10:59:21.052-04:00Kirk KirkconnellDiane WardRobin WilkinsonBob WardJudge Walter KomanskiIsleworthNancy DinsmoreDr. Garavaglia At Friday's bond hearing for her husband, James Robert "Bob" Ward of Isleworth, I wasn't altogether shocked that he was granted a bond by Judge Walter Komanski, even though Dr. Garavaglia, Orange County's medical examiner, testified that the powder burns on Mrs. Ward's face indicated the muzzle of the gun was approximately 6" to 12" away and that her eyes were open when she was shot in the face,http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/vYKUC8tprK4/what-about-diane-ward-isleworth-murder.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)4<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/vYKUC8tprK4" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-about-diane-ward-isleworth-murder.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-3581948463751682360Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:15:00 +00002009-10-16T20:33:07.169-04:00Michael EmmonsJudge Leon CheekLawson Lamar It helps to work for the State Attorney when you commit a crime. Defendant Michael Emmons (2009MM10127), employed by the Orange County Office of the State Attorney in the MIS Department, pled no contest today to one count of Interception of Wire/Oral Communications involving his wife (offense date 12/27/08). Adjudication was withheld and he is to serve 12 months probation.  The Seminole County http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/5NTKuUFHtpw/dv-offender-employed-by-lawson-lamar.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/5NTKuUFHtpw" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/10/dv-offender-employed-by-lawson-lamar.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-6513809872045048458Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:39:00 +00002009-10-08T22:49:30.470-04:00Judge Michael MurphyKyle DuffeeLast week, defendant Kyle Duffee admitted to a violating his probation in a VOP hearing before Judge Michael Murphy in case 2008MM13931 (he originally pled to a 12/10/08 offense of violating an injunction). His probation officer subsequently filed an affadavit of violation because the defendant had failed to undergo substance abuse evaluation & treatment, enter & complete Batterers’ Intervention http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/zjMlPlze36U/defendant-takes-advantage-of.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/zjMlPlze36U" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/10/defendant-takes-advantage-of.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-4563504680154721854Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:12:00 +00002009-10-08T22:50:20.197-04:00stalkingJudge Kenneth BarlowAlicia PeytonGabriel RhenalsAt least for the moment. I spent most of the day yesterday in Judge Kenneth Barlow's courtroom yesterday for State v. Gabriel Rhenals (2009MM231E).  Mr. Rhenals, age 23, was arrested April 30, 2009 for stalking his UCF professor after Judge Theotis Bronson had granted an injunction to her earlier that month. The victim testified that Mr. Rhenals had been disruptive in class, behaved http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/COijR3yZNCk/convicted-stalker-manages-to-wiggle-out.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/COijR3yZNCk" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/10/convicted-stalker-manages-to-wiggle-out.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-1644805957272506574Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:51:00 +00002009-10-03T18:54:17.454-04:00murder-suicideHarbor HouseSafehouse of Seminoledomestic violence Orange and Seminole Counties have seen a decline in the overall number of victim fatalities since 2007, but domestic violence related suicides have grown. Seminole's 7 fatalities have already surpassed last year's total of 4, while Orange shows a significant decline (25 deaths in 2008 vs. 12 deaths YTD 2009). What has not declined, however, is the number of suicides (10 thus far) committed by http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/3qdjBuv0sy0/domestic-violence-related-fatalities-in.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/3qdjBuv0sy0" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/10/domestic-violence-related-fatalities-in.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-6846947662099388550Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:07:00 +00002009-09-28T10:07:50.117-04:00Judge Jeffords MillerinjunctionIn 1999 I obtained a lifetime Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence against someone I nearly married. After having watched hundreds of injunction hearings, I am aware of how unusual this is (most injunctions are granted for 12 months). I am very fortunate that Judge Jeffords Miller recognized the potential lethality of my situation and did not designate an expiration date. In the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/-yErc-uFCbk/still-looking-over-my-shoulder.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)8<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/-yErc-uFCbk" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/09/still-looking-over-my-shoulder.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-8835983643107429916Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:26:00 +00002009-09-21T07:53:15.134-04:00Judge Marlene AlvaCatherine BurkeHarbor HouseShannon BurkeSusan ConstantineLie to MeCarol WickStunned and speechless. That's how I felt when Catherine Burke told WESH Reporter Dave McDaniel that victims of domestic violence should keep their abuse a secret. CourtWatch commends WESH for seeking comments from Carol Wick of Harbor House in order to balance the dangerous message that Mrs. Burke expressed. Because it is only when domestic violence is brought to light that abusers and victims http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/u6pJwibPXGQ/lie-to-me.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)10<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/u6pJwibPXGQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/09/lie-to-me.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-8761497816340215974Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:07:00 +00002009-09-15T22:07:48.440-04:00murder-suicideDepartment of JusticeJUNE 2009 - Department of Justice Report: Practical Implications of Domestic Violence Research for Law Enforcement, Prosecutors and Judges. The report may be downloaded here: http://ncmbts.blogspot.com/2009/09/june-2009-dept-justice-report-practical.html In addition to the link for downloading the report, there's an excellent discussion of risk factors for high lethality DV cases on the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/Ctl5vKlMhyM/doj-report-practical-implications-of-dv.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/Ctl5vKlMhyM" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/09/doj-report-practical-implications-of-dv.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-4592258106404702060Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:42:00 +00002009-09-12T08:43:02.979-04:00domestic violencehealth insuranceInsurance companies have used the excuse of "pre-existing conditions" to deny coverage to countless Americans. From cancer patients to the elderly suffering from arthritis, these organizations have padded their profit margins by limiting coverage to patients deemed "high risk" because of their medical condition. But, in DC and nine other states, including Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, North http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/9rZDftBlZ70/domestic-violence-victims-have-pre.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/9rZDftBlZ70" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/09/domestic-violence-victims-have-pre.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-7850047336484361724Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:40:00 +00002009-09-03T22:19:37.703-04:00safety plandomestic violenceTom BarrettA friend of mine sent this to me today. As I was walking to my car on my way to work, I heard these unsettling sounds coming from down the street. I stopped, stood still as I was unsure what the noise was. It was a woman screaming and crying from deep within her being as she was being abused. The cries were horrendous and her screams unbearable. What was even worse, I could hear the sound of herhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/Bhh6jTD6rU4/think-ahead-what-would-you-do.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/Bhh6jTD6rU4" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/09/think-ahead-what-would-you-do.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-36653491355262171Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:18:00 +00002009-09-20T22:31:35.339-04:00Shannon BurkeCasey Anthonyalcoholismdomestic violenceIt seems as though Burke is doing everything a media consultant would recommend in order to get back in the good graces of the public, as well as the good graces of his former employer, Real Radio 104.1. I googled his name and found his picture (including his dog) prominantly displayed on a blog he started and posted to a few times after his release from Seminole County jail. It makes him look http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/OWrOro7it94/remaking-of-shannon-burke.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/OWrOro7it94" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/09/remaking-of-shannon-burke.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-5526688095605388116Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:21:00 +00002009-09-02T21:03:17.915-04:00jury dutyInterestingly enough, the NY Times did a story today about the recession's impact on Jury Duty. It even mentions Orlando, Florida. My grumbling was directed at those folks who could rearrange their schedules if needed, but choose to claim hardship instead. In reading the comments on the NY Times article, the idea of allowing people to volunteer and/or schedule themselves for a particular week, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/uAe2FhEoIFQ/jury-duty-part-2.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/uAe2FhEoIFQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/09/jury-duty-part-2.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625913753383648089.post-7018189993776913150Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:46:00 +00002009-09-01T11:46:03.748-04:00jury dutychild abuseI watched a portion of jury selection Monday morning for a child abuse / child neglect case. I don't know the details of the case (other than it was expected to be a 2-day trial). What struck me was how many of the panel of 20 prospective jurors made excuses about what a hardship it would be to serve. I understand that the courts only pay $15/day for jury duty (you do get free parking though). http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~3/l7MpxQ3ypGw/jury-duty-or-jury-doody.htmllaura@courtwatchflorida.org (Laura S Williams)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Courtwatcher/~4/l7MpxQ3ypGw" height="1" width="1"/>http://courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/2009/09/jury-duty-or-jury-doody.html