Boyette, Rice Still On The Run As Manhunt Continues
February 7, 2017
UPDATE from 9 am Santa Rosa press conference:
“Sooner or later, he is going to make a mistake, and when he does, we are going to pounce on him,” Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said during a morning press conference, adding that Boyette knows the woods in Beulah “like the back of his hand”. K-9 units and helicopters are being used in the search.
“The ending is up to him…if he decides he wants to come out with a a gun, we’ll put him down if we have to,” Johnson said.
The U.S. Marshals area also involved in the manhunt and have called in additional marshals from across the country.
No credible information that he is in Santa Rosa County, Johnson said.
“He is a very violent and dangerous man,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said, referring to Boyette’s criminal history prior to the murders.
Mary Barbara Craig Rice was spotted in a Crestview Walmart on February 2.
They have least one gun and have purchased extra ammunition for it.
PREVIOUS STORY:
Day seven of a massive manhunt continued Tuesday for William “Billy” Eugene Boyette Jr., a suspect in three recent murders and Mary Barbara Craig Rice, now considered an accomplice.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has doubled the number of uniformed deputies on the streets, and the reward in the case has increased to $21,000.
On Monday, Boyette allegedly shot Kayla Crocker during a home invasion robbery on Beulah Road. Her 2-year old in the house was unharmed. The couple stole her 2006 white Chevrolet Cobalt with Florida tag 9613BJ. The vehicle may have right passenger door damage and it has a skull and cross-bone sticker on the back window. Boyette and Rice then made a purchase at a local Shell station and then proceeded to get breakfast at Hardee’s.
That vehicle has not been recovered.
Rice has dyed her hair orange. Boyette did not exit the vehicle at the Shell or Hardees.
“Once again our suspect is mobile,” Sheriff David Morgan said. “We have called in all of our available resources.”
Boyette, 44, is a suspect in the shooting death of 30-year old Alicia Greer and 39-year old Jacqueline Moore in Milton at the Emerald Sands Inn on Tuesday and 52-year old Peggy Broz Friday morning in Lillian, AL.
Law enforcement officers in multiple counties spent Sunday following up on alleged sightings of Boyette, but all turned out not to be him.
He allegedly stole the victim’s car Friday in Lillian. That vehicle was found abandoned in Beulah Saturday morning on Nine Mile Road near the I-10 intersection, not far from Navy Federal. That led authorities to believe that he might be in Escambia County where he has family ties. A K-9 search around the car turned up nothing.
“I want to emphasize to the community that we are looking now, aggressively, for someone who is a killer in our community,” Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said during a joint news conference Saturday afternoon.
“Some are saying, ’sheriff, you’re scaring our community.’ I hope I am. If Mr. Boyette and his family are listening, I intend to aggressively pursue anyone that aids, abets or assists in any way in Mr. Boyette’s continued evasion of law enforcement,” Morgan said. “We have reason to believe that he’s involved in three homicides to date. For God’s sake, let’s don’t make it four.”
“I cannot overemphasize how dangerous this suspect is,” Morgan said. “Do not — I repeat, do not — in any way attempt to contact or have contact with Mr. Boyette. Get on your telephone and notify law enforcement. Citizens are not equipped to deal with this.”
Anyone with information on Boyette’s whereabouts should call 911. Authorities said he is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
Triple Murderer’s Name, Social Media Causing Problems For Family, 60-Year Old Business
February 7, 2017
A local family says the massive manhunt for an accused triple murder suspect is harming the reputation of their business and their family thanks to erroneous social media posts.
The Boyett family has been a well-respected family in Escambia County for years, operating Boyett’s Septic Tank and Portable Toilets since 1957. The family name has always been spelled without an “e” on the end, unlike the last name of William “Billy” Boyette, which ends with an “e”.
“You would think people could see the difference right away with the spelling,” Logan Boyett said Monday afternoon. “There is no ‘e’ on the end of our name. We have no connection or ties to this horrible monster of person murdering people.”
But the spelling difference has not stopped posts across social media accusing the Boyett family of supporting and even aiding the murder suspect Boyette. Many posts have called for businesses to drop their contacts with the Boyett’s 60-year old company.
“It’s unbelievable what they have accused us of doing,” Debbie Boyett of Molino said. “We are not connected to this man in any way.”
IP Explosion Update: Info Center Cutting Hours
February 7, 2017
The cleanup following the January 22 explosion at the International Paper mill in Cantonment is continuing, and the Joint Information Center is set to cut hours.
About 200 cleanup personnel continue to work in the affected neighborhood, completing the majority of cleaning required at approximately 10 homes per day.
The Unified Command’s Joint Information Center (1-850-968-4208) as been available with a live representative 24/7 since shortly after the explosion. It will continue to be available for residents in the affected areas. But beginning Wednesday, live operators will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with voicemail available after hour. Calls will be returned the next business day.
The Unified Command is comprised of International Paper, Escambia County EMA/Public Safety, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Back Unanimous Juries In Death Cases
February 7, 2017
Florida juries would have to unanimously agree that defendants should be condemned to death for the sentence to be imposed, under a proposal given swift and overwhelming approval at its first Senate committee Monday.
But efforts to broaden the legislation to address other issues involved in a series of court rulings that prompted this year’s measure appear, at least for now, to be doomed.
Proposals to require unanimous jury recommendations, backed by leaders in the House and Senate, come as Florida’s death penalty has been on hold for more than a year as a result of a key U.S. Supreme Court ruling, in a case known as Hurst v. Florida, in January 2016.
The 8-1 decision, based in part on a 2002 ruling in a case known as Ring v. Arizona, struck down as unconstitutional Florida’s death penalty sentencing system because it gave too much power to judges, instead of juries.
Florida lawmakers hurriedly rewrote the statute last year, requiring jurors to unanimously find that at least one aggravating factor exists before a defendant can be eligible for a death sentence and requiring at least 10 jurors to recommend death for the sentence to be imposed. The Supreme Court ruling and the subsequent legislation dealt with the sentencing phase of cases, after juries have unanimously found defendants guilty of crimes.
During debate on the sentencing issue last year, defense lawyers repeatedly warned that the 10-2 jury recommendation — pushed by prosecutors — kept the state’s death penalty law at risk because it made Florida, one of only three states that then did not require unanimous recommendations, a national “outlier.”
The Florida Supreme Court last fall struck down the new statute, finding that part of the new law was unconstitutional because it did not require unanimous recommendations for death sentences.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Monday unanimously approved a measure (SB 280), sponsored by committee Chairman Randolph Bracy, aimed at fixing the flaw in the statute by requiring unanimous jury recommendations.
Bracy, an Orlando Democrat, said he had spoken with people on both sides of the issue about what he acknowledged is a controversial topic.
“The one thing that has been consistent is that people have told me that the death penalty should be a last resort … and the crime should be worthy of death,” he said. “I think we’re getting a lot closer to that.”
But defense lawyers cautioned that, even while they support the unanimity requirement, the state law is still flawed without additional changes.
“Let me stress this is a first step, not a final solution,” 10th Judicial Circuit Public Defender Rex Dimmig told the panel Monday.
The proposal fixes the problems regarding the Sixth Amendment right to trial by jury, Dimmig said, but “it does not mean that our procedures will be constitutional in the future.”
Florida law requires juries to make recommendations about death sentences after weighing aggravating factors, laid out in statute, and mitigating circumstances. But Florida law identifies at least 16 aggravating factors, including whether a defendant is a member of a gang, that make defendants eligible for the death penalty.
But courts have long determined that the death penalty should be reserved for the “worst of the worst” defendants, and Florida’s long list of aggravators means the state law isn’t narrow enough, Dimmig and other lawyers — including some members of the Florida Supreme Court — have argued.
Sen. Jeff Clemens warned his colleagues on the panel that the Legislature could once again find itself in the position of having to deal with an unconstitutional death penalty law if the aggravating factors aren’t addressed.
Lawmakers “knew what was going to happen” when they failed to require unanimous jury recommendations last year, the Lake Worth Democrat said.
Last year’s law requiring at least 10 jurors to recommend death was considered a compromise between House and Senate leaders. The Senate wanted unanimous jury recommendations, while the House backed a proposal pushed by prosecutors that would have required at least nine jurors to recommend death.
“I’m making that prediction right now that we’ll be back here again,” Clemens said. “We do just enough each year to make us feel good and then we have to come back and redo it again.”
Dimmig said he would be “absolutely shocked” if the U.S. Supreme Court “do(es) not find our death penalty overly broad based on the number of aggravators we have.”
Lawmakers also appear unwilling to deal with an issue known as “retroactivity,” in the wake of a controversial Florida court decision that requiring unanimous jury recommendations would apply to defendants whose cases were finalized after the 2002 decision in the Ring case.
Bracy had sponsored an amendment that would have allowed Death Row inmates whose cases were finalized before 2002 to seek new sentencing hearings.
Not allowing those inmates to have new hearings “will result in a miscarriage of justice,” said the amendment, which Bracy withdrew without comment.
“I didn’t have the votes to pass it,” Bracy told reporters after the meeting. “To save time, to save money, I thought why not just be proactive. It’s something I think we should do. It’s just a matter of if it’s something the rest of the Legislature thinks we should do.”
Even without the change proposed by Bracy, more than half of the state’s 396 Death Row inmates could be eligible for new sentencing hearings, a cost Dimmig estimated could be in excess of $200 million.
“It’s going to literally swamp the courts for years to come,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Tornado Watch, Chance Of Severe Weather This Afternoon
February 7, 2017
There is a tornado watch until 6 p.m. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 72. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Areas of fog between 9pm and 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Brick Sale Continues For Century High School Monument
February 7, 2017
Despite lackluster sales so far, plans are moving forward for a brick monument at the site of the old Century High School.
Engraved bricks are being sold at $50 each to be placed around a 1936 monument and flagpole salvaged from the former school, which was demolished due to tornado damage. In total, about 3,o00 bricks were saved from the school building for the project. The $50 covers the cost of engraving the brick and construction of the monument; there is no profit made.
Century Bricks and Monument Committee member Regi Burkett told members of the Century Town Council that final drawings depicting the monument are almost ready, and he said he expects brick sales to soar once the plans are available.
The committee is also applying for a historical grant to help fund the project, which Burkett said he hopes to see completed within two years.
Each brick can be engraved with up to three lines of text with up to 20 characters per line To print an order form, visit CenturyHighBricks.com or pick up an order form at the Century Town Hall.
Pictured top: A sample engraved Century High School brick. Pictured inset: A 1936 monument salvaged from the former school will be in the center of the monument. Pictured below: A conceptual drawing of the monument. NorthEscambia.com photos/images, click to enlarge.
Free Sign Language Class Offered At Century Church
February 7, 2017
A free sign language class is being offered at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Century at 4:30 each Sunday afternoon. The class met for the first time this past Sunday, learning the basics of the alphabet. Organizers said it’s not to late to join the class. For more information, call (850) 366-4106.
Northview, Jay Lose In District 3-1A Basketball Tourney
February 7, 2017
The Northview Chiefs and theJay Royals both lost Monday in the District 3-1A basketball tournament.
No. 3 seed South Walton defeated No. 6 seed Northview 52-44, while No. 4 seed Freeport beat No. 5 seed Jay 65-49.
Freeport will host No. 1 Chipley at 5:30 Tuesday, while South Walton will ply No. 2 seed Baker at 7:00.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Triple Murderer Manhunt Won’t Close Escambia Schools Tuesday
February 7, 2017
Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has announced that as of 6:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, all schools are set to open at regular times Tuesday morning and all bus routes will operate as normal.
“We are, of course, staying in close communication with local law enforcement as they work to bring the fugitives to justice,” said Malcolm Thomas. “As a grandparent, I understand and share everyone’s concerns. As your school district’s superintendent, I feel that it is imperative that we continue school tomorrow and I assure you that we will also work to be vigilant with our schools’ security.”
“With many of our students’ parents needing to go to work, we would not want to risk parents having to leave their students at home alone,” Thomas added.
Tomorrow, the District will remain in close communication with law enforcement. If the District is provided with information involving a threat to any school, school personnel will follow normal protocols to activate lock down procedures to ensure the safety of students and staff.
James M. Lee
February 7, 2017
James M. Lee, known as “Jim” or “Jimmy” to his friends, was born on December 3, 1935, in Dunbar, WV.
In 1954, a week after his high school graduation, Jim moved to the Hopkins’ Boarding House in Pensacola, FL to work at the Chemstrand Plant. He worked 38 years at the plant, where he met his wife of 39 years, Una. Jim has served on the Board of Directors at Gulf Winds FCU for 50 years. He is also a member of Ensley Lodge 278. Jim and Una enjoyed traveling every fall to the Great Smokey Mountains, fishing on Lake Talquin, and camping at Fort Pickens. Jim was dearly loved by so many, especially his best friends Peanut and Ann Johnson, who stood by his side during his recent illness.
Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father, Les and Virginia Hundley; and his daughter-in-law, Gayle Francis.
Jim is survived by his wife, Una Lee; his children, James A. “Fred” Lee (Cindy), John Ellis Francis, Doug Lee (Melanie), and Patricia “Pat” Cleveland (Fred); his grandchildren, Kari Lee, Amanda Eady (Matthew), and Nicholas “Nick” Walther; and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were the Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee Members of Gulf Winds FCU.
Services were held Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
Contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Cantonment building fund.