Morgan Will End Greetings For Prospective Jurors After Disagreement With Federal Judges
March 25, 2011
Escambia Sheriff’s David Morgan will no longer greet jurors as they head to service in state or federal court.
“There is no honor in this acquiescence,” Morgan wrote in a letter to Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson. “Yet what can be only described as an impending media circus must be avoided. I cannot and will not be a player to a diminution or denigration of the judicial process.”
To read Morgan’s complete letter, click here.
Vinson and two other federal judges questioned Morgan’s practice of greeting potential jurors in a parking lot near the Pensacola Civic Center. Prospective jurors are transported by trolley from the parking area to the courthouse. Morgan would personally greet the jurors, often handing them his business card — a practice that he began in January 2007 during his campaign and continued into office.
Good Morning, I’m Sheriff David Morgan. I attempt to get down here on as many Monday’s as possible to thank you for answering the jury summons. I know that this is a disruption of your business or personal day, but you are an integral part of the judicial process. Thank you for your service,” Morgan said this is the typical statement he makes to potential jurors.
On Wednesday, attorney Michelle Hendrix filed a motion for a court order seeking to keep the sheriff away from the potential jurors in the case of her client, Billings murder suspect Donnie Stallworth.
In a March 17 letter, Morgan said greeting the jurors was his First Amendment right of freedom of speech. “Although an elected official, I retain the First Amendment protection of my rights to freedom of speech and freedom of association. I consider the greeting of jurors an exercise of these rights and a function of Sheriff of Escambia County and the Executive Officer of the Court.” To read the March 17 letter, click here.
“I submit that the likelihood that my greeting creates any ‘bias’ in a prospective juror is infinitesimal,” Morgan wrote in a letter to U.S. Judge Casey Rodgers.
“Your interactions with these prospective jurors raise legitimate concerns about the court’s ability to seat fair and impartial juries, especially when considering that the majority of those selected will serve on criminal juries,” Judge Rogers wrote in a March 3 letter to Morgan requesting that he cease meeting with the prospective jurors. “Even if no actual
bias results, the court nonetheless is concerned that your practice at a minimum gives the appearance of bias, which in our view seriously undermines the public’s confidence in the fair administration of justice.”
In the March 24 letter in which Morgan said he would cease to meet with prospective jurors, he stated, “…a simple ‘thank you for your service’ in answering a jury summons and becoming a part of the judicial process (by a sheriff) is painted to be an insidious assault and an attempt to skew the outcome of a trial(s). This is contorted logic at best. And at worst, this acceptance is yet but one more step down the rungs of our societal ladder of decency and civility. I find it despicable.”
Northview Lady Chiefs Take Two From Jay
March 25, 2011
The Northview Lady Chiefs took two from Jay Thursday afternoon.
In varsity action, Northview beat the Jay Lady Royals 6-4.
Shawna Montgomery was 2-3 with double for the Chiefs, Ashley Digmon was 3-4, Sarah Killam was 2-4, and Emily Vickery went 1-3 with a double. Misty Doran pitched seven for the Chiefs, striking out six.
Camille Driver was 1-2 for the Lady Royals, and Ashley Stokes went 1-3.
In JV action, Northview downed Jay 4-3.
The Lady Chiefs will be in action again Friday with a road trip to Ponce de Leon for a 5 p.m. varsity matchup.
Escambia Man Gets 13 Years For DUI Manslaughter
March 25, 2011
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced Thursday that Robert Koroly was sentenced by Judge Michael Allen to 13.25 years in state prison followed by 6.75 years probation.
On January 25, 2011, Koroly pled to one count of DUI manslaughter and one count of DUI causing serious bodily injury before Judge Michael Allen.
On May 1, 2010, Koroly was driving the wrong way on I-110 just south of Fairfield Drive when he crashed into Johnny Robinson’s car, killing Robinson. Clarence Jordan was also injured in the crash. Koroly’s blood alcohol level was .16.
Gov. Expected As Navy Federal Cuts Ribbon For Expansion
March 25, 2011
Navy Federal will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a 224,000 square foot building on Friday. The new building will accommodate an additional 1,100 employees at the Navy Federal campus which will help support rapid growth by the credit union.
Gov. Rick Scott, Navy Federal President and CEO Cutler Dawson and a host of other dignitaries are scheduled to be among the invited guests at the invitation-only ceremony.
“This is an exciting time for Navy Federal,” said Cutler Dawson, President and CEO of Navy Federal Credit Union. “Our growth here in Pensacola mirrors the growth in our membership and our expanding branch network worldwide. It also serves as a constant reminder of the great partnership Navy Federal has forged with the community leaders and residents in Escambia County.”
Navy Federal’s first building opened in 2003 as the first LEED Gold certified building in the state of Florida. The “green” campus is nestled on 62 acres in western Escambia County, and is currently home to almost 1,700 employees representing all of the major business areas in the credit union – Contact Center, Lending, Collections, and Membership.
“The opening of our fourth building underscores our continued commitment to our members and to the Greater Pensacola community,” said Debbie Calder, Senior Vice President of Greater Pensacola Operations. “We’re also very proud of our recognition as one of the leading employers in Florida.”
Scott Signs Teacher Merit Pay In Law
March 25, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott signed the teacher merit pay bill on Thursday in Jacksonville, his first signed legislation since becoming Governor, tying teacher salaries to test scores and ending multi-year contracts.
“We must recruit and retain the best people to make sure every classroom in Florida has a highly effective teacher,” Scott said.
Under the measure, current teachers are also exempted from the new salary requirements and elimination of tenure. New teachers hired after July 2011 are put under one-year contracts and after July 2014, new teachers will be paid under the new merit pay system.
For new teachers, school districts would be required to set up an evaluation system that uses test scores for 50 percent of a teacher’s ranking and a “value-added” formula for the rest.
“This bill reduces a school district’s flexibility and authority over teacher evaluations, pay schedules and working conditions,” said Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association. “It’s not good for students, it’s not good for teachers and it’s not grounded in sound research.”
This is the second year the Legislature has attempted to pass a merit pay bill, with former Gov. Charlie Crist vetoing the bill last year after teacher protests. This year, the response from teachers was muted and Scott indicated early on his support for tying teacher pay to test scores.
Cottage Hill Residents Clean Up Community
March 25, 2011
Cottage Hill had become a community where neighbors did not know one another and where fear sometimes gripped residents that would not venture outside at night.
“There were elderly people in the neighborhood that if they left something in their car, they would not walk outside their home at night to get it because of fear. They would just wait until the next morning,” said Marsha Ryland.
“That’s not the way we wanted our neighborhood,” Ryland said. So she went to work on the evils that lurked in Cottage Hill, starting with meth after her neighbor’s house burned to the ground from a meth lab gone bad. They organized for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to present a community program on meth. That eventually led Ryland, her daughter Amanda and Carlyn Vickery to work with their neighbors to form the Cottage Hill Neighborhood Watch.
The group was part of about 100 volunteers, law enforcement officers and county employees that teamed up Thursday morning to clean up a for Operation Clean Sweep to rid the neighborhood of crime, criminals and trash.
During the operation, 38 tons of trash was collected — some by volunteers from the Marines, 36 tickets were issued for traffic violations, five people were arrested on outstanding warrants and Escambia County Code Enforcement opened 26 cases on violations.
“From Jim Allen Elementary to McKenzie Road, we are taking back out streets,” Ryland said. “This was jut the beginning today. It’s our job to make sure it stays cleaned up.”
“This is the first time I can remember since the late 1950’s that the whole community has pulled together and gotten involved,” Vickery said.
“People have really started to know their neighbors and look out for one another,” Ryland said. “It’s made a huge difference.”
For a photo gallery from the Operation Clean Up Thursday in Cottage Hill, click here.
Residents in the area had been encouraged to pile trash and debris from the homes and yards alongside the road for pickup. And they did. Pile and pile of trash — furniture, couches, tires, boats (about a half dozen boats) and more lined the streets waiting for collection. The Marines walked the area, accompanied by deputies on horseback, picking up smaller litter.
Escambia deputies stood next to Highway 95A with radar guns, directing those over the speed limit off the highway for a ticket. The Sheriff’s Office tactical (TAC) unit moved about the neighborhood with parole and probation officers with outstanding arrest warrants in hand.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from Operation Clean Sweep Thursday morning in Cottage Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Crabtree Church Road Bridge Closed
March 25, 2011
The bridge over Alligator Creek on Crabtree Church Road in Molino has been closed for emergency repairs.
Advance decay was found in a support piling during a routine inspection Thursday, according to Sonya Daniel, Escambia County public information manager. The bridge was closed late Thursday afternoon and is expected to remain closed through Friday, April 8.
The bridge on Crabtree Church Road is about halfway between Sunshine Hill Road and Highway 99. The recommended east/west detour is Molino Road between Highway 99 and Sunshine Hill Road.
No Injuries In 10 Mile Rd School Bus Wreck
March 24, 2011
There were no injuries in a Thursday morning crash involving a school bus.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a school bus with no passengers on board and a Toyota van were stopped at a red light at the intersection of East 10 Mile Road and Chemstrand Road about 7:42 a.m. The driver of the bus, Kristie King, 40, of Cantonment, began to travel forward and rear-ended the van, driven by Tony Tran, 53, of Pensacola.
There were no injuries. King, the bus driver, was cited with careless driving by the FHP.
Clean Sweep In North Escambia Neighborhood
March 24, 2011
About 100 community volunteers, law enforcement officers and county employees teamed up this morning to clean up a North Escambia neighborhood.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Cottage Hill Neighborhood Watch, along with several other agencies, conducted an “Operation Clean Sweep” event that began about 8:30 this morning.
“The focus of ‘Operation Clean Sweep’ is to work with neighborhood watch groups, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of criminal activity through eradication, enforcement and education,” according to Sena Madison, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.
The Operation Task Force works closely with Escambia County Animal Control, environmental law enforcement, the United States military, Escambia County Roads and Bridges, and neighborhood watch groups to clean up neighborhoods and educate citizens on preventive measures that could be implemented to minimize possible crimes.
For more information on future clean ups, or to volunteer, contact P.O.C. Captain Tharp (850) 554-1384 or Deputy Wiggins (850) 554-1362. For more information on starting a neighborhood watch in your community, or to join an existing group, call David Craig (850) 436-9281 visit escambiaso.com.
Pictured top: An Escambia Sheriff’s deputy writes a ticket during a traffic enforcement this morning on Highway 95A in Cottage Hill. Pictured inset: A group of Marines pick up trash along Williams Ditch Road this morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Under Century Home Causes Little Damage
March 24, 2011
A fire under a Century home caused little damage Thursday morning.The fire was reported about 10:15 Thursday morning in the 500 block of West Highway 4. Smoke could be seen coming from under the home as firefighters searched for the source.
The fire was extinguished a short time later. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The Century, McDavid, Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the call.
Pictured top: Smoke can been seen coming from the end of a home Thursday morning in Century as firefighters search for the source under the home. Pictured below: Firefighters look for the source of the fire. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
