Former Florida congressional candidate and fired pandemic health manager Rebekah Jones agreed in a court document to admit she was guilty of a hacking-related felony. But she now disputes prosecutors’ claims that she illegally used a government messaging service to send mass texts criticizing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ handling of the …
Read More »Rosa Parks Quiet Courage Committee honors four community leaders
The four recipients of the Rosa Parks Quiet Courage award this year are Devondrick Slater, Sheila Payne, Tony Jones and Desmon Duncan-Walker, who were recognized recently for their work in the community that “demonstrates a commitment to the cause of justice, equality and peace.”
Read More »Legal drama in Florida Supreme Court hearing whether police names can be kept secret in deadly shootings
Florida’s Supreme Court on Wednesday wrestled during a hearing in Tallahassee over questions about whether a new law protecting the rights of crime victims can be used to keep secret the identities of police officers who kill a suspect in the line of duty. The immediate case involved separate, fatal …
Read More »Legal question: Are police officers victims when they shoot someone in line of duty?
The Florida Supreme Court will consider arguments Wednesday in Tallahassee in a case that considers whether the identities of police officers who kill civilians in violent encounters can be withheld from the public. Law enforcement is among one of the only civilian professions in which the use of deadly force …
Read More »Charges against Jalen Kitna spotlight the problem of child pornography in Florida, nationally
The arrest and charges against University of Florida back-up quarterback Jalen Kitna are a reminder of the dark problem of child pornography in Florida and the nation, law enforcement and other experts said. “It is a super serious issue,” said civil attorney Trip Green of Ocala. “You can be charged …
Read More »The Point, Dec. 2, 2022: Gators quarterback released on $80,000 bond
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: UF backup quarterback released from jail after child pornography arrest. “Florida Gators backup quarterback was released from jail on an $80,000 bond Thursday, hours after his first court appearance in …
Read More »Solar-powered trash cans are coming to Gainesville city streets
Gainesville’s city commissioners have something up their sleeve to combat litter – and residents may be surprised to see their solution: Solar-powered trash recycling bins, which will be deployed beginning in 2023. Big Belly Inc., a Needham, Massachusetts, waste and recycling company, has been awarded the contract to bring its …
Read More »UF backup quarterback released from jail after child pornography arrest
Florida Gators backup quarterback was released from jail on an $80,000 bond Thursday, hours after his first court appearance in a case involving five felony counts of possessing and distributing child pornography online. According to newly disclosed court records, the case originated with a tip in June – months before …
Read More »Woman whose boyfriend died in crash urges judge never to allow other driver behind wheel
A woman in a 2018 collision on a motorcycle with her boyfriend – who died in the crash – told the judge she found forgiveness toward the other driver accused of driving under the influence of marijuana, until she learned about the man’s driving history. Now she’s asking the judge …
Read More »Prosecutors drop criminal charges against prominent real estate agents; related civil lawsuits settled
The State Attorney’s office has dropped its criminal investigation of employees of a prominent commercial real estate firm whose offices were stormed by an armed SWAT team last year. Around the same time prosecutors abandoned their criminal case, on Nov. 1, at least three related civil lawsuits and countersuits in …
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