Northview’s McGahan Named ‘Top Senior’ Out Of 48 NJROTC Programs In Five States
May 10, 2016
Northview High School NJROTC Company Commander Cadet LCDR Moriah McGahan has been selected as the Navy JROTC “Top Senior” in the Area 8 Region. She was named the Top Senior from 48 high school NJROTC programs in Northwest Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Judge Rules Death Penalty Fix Unconstitutional
May 10, 2016
A Miami-Dade County judge ruled Monday that a state law allowing the death penalty to be imposed without a unanimous jury decision is unconstitutional, adding to the challenges facing Florida’s capital punishment structure.
In his 18-page opinion, Circuit Judge Milton Hirsch said a recent change to death-penalty sentencing means Florida prosecutors now need the votes of all 12 jurors to impose the death penalty, instead of a majority or supermajority.
“A 21st-century Floridian seeking to argue that the right purported to be protected by (the state Constitution) does not include the requirement of a unanimous verdict must be prepared to rebut the unequivocal expression of the common law, the received wisdom of 19th-century Florida lawyers and judges, a handful of reported Florida opinions, and a century-and-a-half of shared understanding,” Hirsch wrote. “And he must be prepared to do so without any ammunition at all, for he will find no Florida cases, no Florida law-review articles, and no Florida history to support his position.”
Hirsch’s findings in the case of Karon Gaiter, who is charged with one count of first-degree murder, came after the Legislature approved changes to Florida’s death-penalty system during the annual session that ended in March. Those changes were prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court decision that tossed the state’s previous regime for instituting the death penalty.
Under the old system, a majority of jurors could issue a death-penalty recommendation that could be followed or ignored by the judge in the case. But under the new law, at least 10 members of the jury must vote for capital punishment in order for a convicted murderer to be put to death; the judge can instead sentence the defendant to life in prison, but can’t impose the death penalty if the jury hasn’t recommended it.
That, Hirsch wrote, essentially changed the jury’s decision from a “straw poll” to a verdict, which has always been understood to require a unanimous vote.
“Every verdict in every criminal case in Florida requires the concurrence, not of some, not of most, but of all jurors — every single one of them,” he wrote in the ruling, posted online by the Miami Herald.
During the spring legislative session, the state Senate pushed to require a unanimous vote for the death penalty, but the state House balked, and Attorney General Pam Bondi and state prosecutors also opposed the proposal. In a compromise, the two chambers settled on requiring 10 jurors to vote for the death penalty. Hirsch’s ruling is almost certain to be appealed.
Somewhat ironically, it was a different part of the sentencing process that drew the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down Florida’s death penalty process. The high court’s 8-1 decision, in a case known as Hurst v. Florida, found that the state’s system of giving judges — and not juries — the power to impose death sentences is an unconstitutional violation of defendants’ Sixth Amendment right to trial by jury.
The Hurst decision dealt with what are known as aggravating circumstances that must be determined before defendants can be sentenced to death. A 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, in a case known as Ring v. Arizona, requires that determinations of such aggravating circumstances must be made by juries, not judges.
Under Florida’s new law, juries will have to unanimously determine “the existence of at least one aggravating factor” before defendants can be eligible for death sentences. The law also requires at least 10 jurors to recommend the death penalty in order for the sentence to be imposed.
At the time that the law passed, some legislators raised the possibility that a non-unanimous jury recommendation could come back to haunt the Legislature. But prosecutors and victims’ advocates said the Supreme Court hasn’t ruled that unanimity is required.
Last week, the Florida Supreme Court heard arguments on whether convicted murderers who were sentenced to death before the Hurst decision are entitled to automatically have their sentences reduced to life in prison without the chance for parole. That case doesn’t revolve around the unanimity issue.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service Of Florida
Cecil David Brown
May 10, 2016
Cecil David Brown went to be with his Lord and Savior after a lengthy illness. David was 78 years young and will be sorely missed.
David is survived by his wife, Charlotte; brother, James Brown; children, Terry (Jan), Tonya, Tim (Lori), and Troy; two loving step-daughters, Stephany Heath and Kimberly Heath; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Easter Belle Brown of Pensacola, and wife of 46 years, Marie Adkison Brown.
David was born on June 9, 1937, in Brewton. He moved to Pensacola a few years later and graduated from Pensacola High School in 1955. David worked for years in the family business, Brown Painting Company, eventually running his own company, David Brown Coatings, up until 2015 when he retired. For the last 12 years he has lived in Seminole, AL, on the Styx River.
David was a family man and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid fisherman and quail hunter. He also enjoyed antique automobiles and traveling with his beloved wife Charlotte. David had countless friends and enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest.
The family will receive friends Friday, May 13, 2016, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Brownsville Assembly of God.
Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola.
Graveside services will be at Eastern Gate Cemetery at 3 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Blue Wahoos Drop Game One To Lookouts
May 10, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos woes on the road continued Monday against the Chattanooga Lookouts who got 17 hits to roll to a, 12-3, victory at AT&T Field.
Pensacola fell to 7-9 on the road, while they are 11-4 at home. The Blue Wahoos are now 18-13 and in second place in the Southern League South Division. Meanwhile, Chattanooga improved to 14-17.
Chattanooga jumped on Pensacola starter Sal Romano in the third inning, scoring five runs and sending nine men to the plate. Romano, the No. 15 prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization according to MLB.com, was rolling until then striking out three Lookout batters and allowing just one hit.
In all, Chattanooga scored seven runs on nine hits off of Romano in three innings. Romano fell to 1-2 with a 5.23 earned-run average.
D.J. Baxendale, a tenth round Minnesota Twins selection in 2012, threw seven innings, giving up three earned runs on five hits and three walks. Baxendale, who has played parts of four seasons in Double-A, improved to 2-4 with a 3.07 ERA.
Pensacola scored first when right fielder Brandon Dixon hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored first baseman Kyle Parker in the second inning to put the Blue Wahoos on top, 1-0.
However, in the bottom of the third inning, Chattanooga got a double and four singles to go ahead, 5-1.
The Lookouts DH Travis Harrison singled to right field to score third baseman T.J. White, 1-0. First baseman D.J. Hicks then hit a liner to center field to drive in second baseman Ryan Walker and center fielder Shannon Wilkerson for a 3-1 lead. Chattanooga catcher Mitch Garver then drove in two more on a double to center field that scored Harrison and Hicks to go ahead 5-1.
Chattanooga scored two more off Romano in the fourth to take a 7-1 lead over Pensacola. Walker tripled to right field to drive in White and then Wilkerson singled to right to score Walker.
Pensacola did get two more runs back in the top of the sixth inning when Parker hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score left fielder Tony Renda and then second baseman Alex Blandino scored on a wild pitch by Chattanooga starter Baxendale to make the score, 7-3.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Chattanooga’s Walker singled in Hicks and Garver. Wilkerson then singled up the middle to score White to put the Lookouts on top, 10-3.
Garver, who went 3-5 with two runs scored and four RBIs, completed Chattanooga’s scoring on a two-run smash to left center in the eighth inning for a 12-3 Lookout win.
Pensacola shortstop Calten Daal extended his hitting streak to nine games, going 1-2 with two walks. He is hitting .469.
Tony Renda went 1-4 and scored a run and extended his hitting streak to eight games. He’s hitting .305 for the Blue Wahoos this season.
Linnie B. Shofner
May 10, 2016
Linnie B. Shofner, age 85, of Pensacola, was called home on May 5, 2016. She was born to the late Miss Vinnie Parker, in Red Level, AL, on May 5, 1931. Linnie was the most loving, caring, and beautiful person to know. She lived a long full life and always put others before herself. Linnie, also know as “Granny,” will be sadly missed by her family. However they are comforted to know that she is at home with her Lord, as well as family that have gone before her.
Granny was preceded in death by her mother; son, Eddie E. Helton; and grandson, Robert E. Lizama.
She is survived by her daughter, Peggy (Bo) Lizama; granddaughter, Christina Lizama; and grandson, Bo Hartjen; great-granddaughters, Aleah Falcon, Jaylyn Lee, and Rylee Larson; and a great-grandson, Robert Hartjen.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South on Wednesday, May 11, 2015, from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m.
A graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Clopton Cemetery in Pensacola.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is in charge of arrangements.
Don Whatley
May 10, 2016
Otis Delano “Don” Whatley, 66 of McCullough, passed away May 7, 2016, in Mobile. He was born on August 13, 1949, in Crichton, AL, to the late Otis Franklin and Carrie Bell Miller Whatley. He retired after 31 years from the City of Atmore where he was superintendent of public works. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wayne Whatley, Frank Whatley and Larry Whatley.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Johnson Whatley; three sons, Ricky (Stephanie) Cook of Booneville, AL, David Cook of McCullough and Paul (Shellie) Whatley of Cantonment; and five grandchildren, Courtney, Blake, Treay, Hunter and Brent.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at 2 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Cornelius Phillips officiating.
Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbears will be Blake Cook, Treay Whatley, Calvin Grace, Larry Caraway, Brian McCreary, James Tolin, Forest Phillips and Joseph Pace.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2016 from 12:30 p.m. until service time from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kathryn Watford Stanley
May 10, 2016
Mrs. Kathryn Watford Stanley, 86, passed away on Monday, May 9, 2016, in Atmore.
Mrs. Stanley was born on December 7, 1929, in Uriah, to Claude and Recie Gulsby Watford. She married Leonard Stanley on June 25, 1949, and resided in Atmore for the remainder of her life. Mrs. Stanley was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Brook’s Memorial Baptist Church and was a seamstress for the public for years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Recie Watford; one brother, Carl Watford; three sisters, Elizabeth Mills, Louise Day and Genise Franklin; and a great-granddaughter, Anna-Grace Stanley.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Leonard Stanley of Atmore; one son, Ronald Eugene Stanley of Atmore; one daughter, Carolyn Stanley (Charles) Woods of Atmore; one brother, James Watford of Crossroads, AL; three grandchildren, Robbie (Jennifer) Stanley of Atmore, Sharlie (Ross) Terry of Atmore and Scotty (Toshia) Woods of Atmore; and three great-grandchildren, Robert Stanley, Colton Stanley and Ava Woods.
Funeral services will be Thursday, May 12, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Heard and Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Burial will follow at the Serenity Garden Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 12, 2016, from 12:30 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Sammy Day, Randy Day, Billy Watford, Ricky Stanley, Greg Stanley, and Garrie Singleton.
Honorary pallbearers will be Sarah Sunday School Class at Brook’s Memorial Baptist Church and Atmore Memorial VFW Auxiliary.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Otha Martin
May 10, 2016
Mr. Otha Martin, 86, passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2016, in Poarch.
Mr. Martin was a native and lifelong resident of Poarch, Alabama. Mr. Martin was a member of St. Anna’s Episcapol Church of Poarch and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. He was a tug boat captain for 40 years, avid gardener and provided food for many people. He is preceded in death by a son, Paul died as an infant; parents, Archie McGhee and Elsie Martin; one brother, Lavan Martin; and two sisters, Thelma Alice Amos and Helen Price.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marie Martin of Poarch; four sons, Lamar (Charlotte) Martin of Pensacola, Nathan (Susan) Martin of Atmore, Nelson Martin of Poarch and Sonny Kirkland of Wallace, AL; one daughter, Pauline (Lamar) Wilson of Atmore; two brothers, Douglas (Shelby) Martin of Zion, IL and J.T. Holland of Poarch; two sisters, Jeanette (Ken) Beck of McCullough, AL and Jean Ardis of Lottie, AL; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and caregiver, Mary Poindexter.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Montgomery, Rev. Josh Long and Rev. Trevor Daughtry officiating.
Burial will be at the Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 10, 2016, from 6 p.m. until 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at the Poarch Community Church.
Pallbearers will be Josh Martin, Josh Long, Brad Martin, Brandon Towe, Jonathan Martin, Tristan Montgomery and Jerry Faircloth.
Honorary pallbearers will be Curtis Daily, Bobby Riley, Ken Beck, Don Absond, Randy Martin and Dino Rolin.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Gladys Myrl Jordan
May 10, 2016
Gladys Myrl Jordan went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. She was born January 4, 1925, in Laurel Hill, FL, to Oscar and Ada Gavin. She was united in marriage to LeRoy Jordan, Sr., on January 26, 1957, in Pensacola.
Gladys loved square dancing, playing pool, throwing darts, fishing, cooking, watching her stories, or soap operas, and watching game shows-especially “The Price is Right,” “Family Feud,” and “Wheel of Fortune.” She won several trophies for pool and dart tournaments.
Gladys was an excellent cook. She loved to prepare meals for her family. Some of the favorites are meatloaf, pork chops, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese, even if it was from the box, she put that extra special touch, banana pudding, and pineapple upside down cake.
She loved watching sports of any kind. Her favorite teams to watch were the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals. Her favorite baseball player was Chipper Jones. She played basketball for Chumuckla School when she was in tenth grade. She was the shortest player on the team, but she loved the game. She really loved to go fishing with her husband. They spent many mornings on the river with their lines in the water.
Gladys always put her family first. She was a true virtuous woman, as described in Proverbs 31. One of her favorite Bible verses was John 3:16. She also loved Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11-12. She was a God fearing woman and was saved later in life.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Ada Gavin; four brothers; one sister; and her loving husband of almost 40 years, LeRoy Jordan, Sr.
She is survived by her sister, Avis Polk; daughter, Susan Knowles; son, LeRoy “Butch” Jordan, Jr; grandson, Matthew (Megan) Lang; granddaughter, LeAnn (Patrick) DeMarcus; granddaughter, Tara Jordan; great-grandsons, Trevor DeMarcus, Kael and Kallan Jensen; great-granddaughter, Hannah DeMarcus; she has one great-grandchild due in October; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 9, 2016 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Dr. Brian Barlow officiating.
Internment was in Barrancas National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the family.
Voncile B. Lassitter
May 10, 2016
Voncile B. Lassitter 94, of McCullough, AL, passed away May 4, 2016, in McCullough. She was born on November 30, 1921, in McCullough to the late Levy and Bessie Walker Bryant. She was a member of Huxford Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jon W. Lassitter; siblings, Eulie Bryant, Victoria “T” Cooper and Alma Stewart.
She is survived by one son, William “Benford” (Gail) Lassitter of Wade, MS and one daughter, Joyce Woolley of Newton, MS; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Friday, May 6, 2016, at the Huxford Baptist Church with Bro. James Boyd officiating.
Burial was in McCullough Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Ricky Wasdin, Gerald Parmer, James Plant, Olen Parmer, Caleb Lassitter and John Woolley.
Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Booker, William Gorum, Joe Coker, Terrell Mason and Ralph Purnell.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.