Hartung Convicted Of Murdering Three Family Members For Money
January 29, 2020
An Escambia County man has been found guilty of murdering three family members in 2015.
A jury returned the verdict late Wednesday afternoon against 63-year old Donald Hartung on Wednesday on three counts of first degree premeditated murder of his mother, 77-year old V Voncile Smith and two half-brothers, 47-year old John Smith,and 49-year old Richard Smith.
Hartung showed no emotion as the guilty verdicts were read aloud. Sentencing hearings are expected to begin Monday and are expected to take about four days. The state is seeking the death penalty.
All three bodies were found on July 31, 2015, in their home on Deerfield Drive. All three were beaten with a claw hammer and their throats slit, and Richard Smith was also shot in the head.
Prosecutors say Hartung was intentionally left out of his mother’s will with everything set to go to John and Richard Smith. The state says the interhertience was Hartung’s was motivation, and the only way he would collect any cash would be to kill all three.
Hartung allegedly hit John Smith with a hammer and slit his throat, just before his mother met the same fate. He took steps to hide the bodies, according to prosecutors, before brother Richard — a Department of Homeland Security IT professional — came home. Hartung, the state said, shot him in the head and also slit his throat.
The defense disputed the motive and the time of death. The defense also claimed crime scene technicians did not properly change gloves during their investigation, and that could have transferred Hartung’s DNA to the hammer used in the killing.
Alabama Closing Most Of Holman Prison In Atmore
January 29, 2020
Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Commissioner Jeff Dunn announced Wednesday morning accelerated plans to close and decommission the main facility at William C. Holman Correctional Facility – one of the Department’s oldest structural facilities.
The decision to accelerate the existing plan was made swiftly and strategically by ADOC’s executive leadership upon learning of the daily interventions required to maintain deteriorating underground utility systems, which provide essential power, water, and sewer services, in order to keep the main facility operational.
“Since my arrival at the ADOC almost five years ago, this department has been vocal about the pervasive and extreme dilapidation crippling facilities throughout the correctional system – and Holman Correctional Facility is no exception,” said Jeff Dunn. “This is a real and serious issue that cannot be understated and, after learning the extent of the risks associated with continued maintenance attempts at Holman Correctional Facility, moving quickly on our plans to decommission was the right and only decision.”
The ADOC continuously monitors and performs risk analyses of its aging facilities in an effort to maintain critical systems across the correctional system. The current conditions within the Holman Correctional Facility tunnel, in which the main facility’s electrical, water, and sewer control systems are housed, now present increased safety concerns and a degree of risk to anyone who enters the tunnel, ultimately rendering ongoing maintenance or repair of these systems unsustainable.
“Protecting inmates, staff, and the general public is of paramount importance to the ADOC, and the 51-year-old Holman facility simply is no longer viable to house a large population of inmates,” added Dunn. “Band-aid solutions to any problem of this magnitude are temporary at best and cannot fix the root cause of our collective problem – Alabama’s prison infrastructure is failing. We are now projecting upwards of $800 million in deferred maintenance costs alone. This unavoidable issue reinforces the critical importance of Governor Ivey’s transformative and necessary plan to build three new correctional facilities.”
The main facility at Holman Correctional Facility houses general population and death row inmates, the cafeteria, the medical unit, the administrative suite, and the execution chamber, which is the only component of the main facility that will remain in use. Executions will not be affected, and the ADOC will take all necessary measures and precautions to maintain the integrity and safety of the chamber and its access points. The department currently is working with third-party experts to accomplish this important endeavor.
Upon completion of the decommissioning process, approximately 422 general population inmates and 195 restrictive housing inmates will be relocated to other ADOC facilities. Approximately 150 of Holman Correctional Facility’s low-risk inmates serving life without parole sentences will be moved to the facility’s standalone E-dorm (formerly the faith-based dormitory) and continue to work at the prison’s tag and clothing plants.
Holman’s restrictive housing unit will be modified appropriately to house and serve the facility’s current 145 death row inmates, as well as 21 additional death row inmates who already have been transferred safely from Donaldson Correctional Facility as part of Phase 1 of this process. The restrictive housing unit, E-dorm, and the tag and clothing plants all have independent power, water, and sewage systems.
The exact details and timing of Phase 2, which encompasses the transfer of Holman Correctional Facility’s general and restrictive housing populations, will not be made public in advance for security purposes. The process by which inmates are transferred is routine, and the department will work diligently to minimize disruption.
“We currently are working hard to identify and implement measures to account for the impact of increased populations across the correctional system, and to ensure continued access to health, educational, and rehabilitative services and programs for our inmate population,” continued Dunn. “We will be making appropriate modifications to existing facilities to address concerns associated with relocation including safety, security, staffing, crowding and programming. This is a complex process, and my department is committed to maintaining transparency without compromising inmate, staff, or public safety.”
The ADOC anticipates retaining enough security and support personnel to staff the active areas at or near 100 percent, establishing a replicable management and rehabilitative model for other facilities as new security staff continues to be added across the correctional system. Staff currently working at Holman Correctional Facility not assigned to active areas within the facility will be reassigned to nearby correctional facilities based on the needs of the department.
Health, rehabilitative, and food services will be provided to Holman Correctional Facility from Fountain Correctional Facility, which is located approximately one mile from Holman.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Freedom Road Bridge In Century Closed
January 29, 2020
The Town of Century closed a portion of Freedom Road Wednesday morning for bridge repairs.
Freedom Road is closed from Jefferson Avenue to just east of the bridge, which is located about 250 feet from the Jefferson Avenue and Freedom Road intersection. The closure eliminates all through traffic on Freedom Road; drivers must use the Highway 4 entrance to Freedom Road. This includes all residents of the Camellia Gardens Apartments.
The town said the bridge will remain closed until repairs of replacement can be made.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Felony Sexual Battery Of Teen Girl
January 29, 2020
A Walnut Hill man has been charged with the sexual battery of a teenage girl over a four year period of time.
William Isaiah Dunsford, 40, was charged with first degree felony sexual battery on a victim over 12 but under 18 by a custodial person.
The investigation started in June 2019 after the victim went to her work supervisor and asked for more hours and a later shift. When the supervisor asked why, she admitted Dunsford had been sexually assaulting her since she was 13, according to an arrest report. The employer contacted law enforcement.
The victim told investigators that Dunsford had sex with her one to two times a week. She said Dunsford tells her that he will take care of her, and when she turns 18 they will be together, according to an arrest report. The victim said multiple times that she does not want anything bad to happen to Dunsford “because she feels as though they are in a loving relationship” and she allows him to have sex with her, the report states.
“He says that he loves me and I tell it to him back,” the victim stated, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
The victim was confirmed to be pregnant at the time of the report last June by the Department of Children and Families, but the report does state who is the biological father of the child.
Dunsford also allegedly took multiple nude photos of the underage victim and instructed her to take photographs of herself and send them to him.
A deputy contacted Dunsford who stated he had retained an attorney and would not be making any further statements to law enforcement.
Dunsford was booked into the Escambia County Jail this week and released Wednesday morning on a $100,000 bond.
Five Injured When Driver Flees Traffic Stop, Crashes Into SUV In Cantonment
January 29, 2020
Five people were injured when driver fled from an attempted traffic stop and crashed into a SUV Tuesday evening in Cantonment.
The crash happened about 5:30 p.m. at Highway 297A and Booker Street at near the Greater First Baptist Church
A deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the sedan, but the driver fled, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy did not directly pursue the vehicle but did locate the crash a short time later, according to ECSO spokesperson Amber Southard.
Four people including two minors in the SUV were injured, along with a passenger in the car. All five were transported by Escambia County EMS to the hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life threatening.
The driver is expected to be charged with fleeing and eluding law enforcement and drug offenses, Southard said.
The names of those involved in the crash have not yet been released as the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigations continue.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Olive Baptist Ministry Village Bargain Center Thrift Store Moving To Nine Mile Road
January 29, 2020
The Olive Baptist Ministry Village Bargain Center is moving to Nine Mile Road.
The thrift store is moving to 92 East Nine Mile Road with a grand opening and ribbon cutting scheduled for Monday, February 3 at 10 a.m.
The Bargain Center opened in June 2013 in its original location on North Davis Highway near Fairfield Drive. The new location on 9 Mile Road not only provides access to the booming population growth in that area – both for ease of donations and accessibility of shoppers – but it also provides a better store layout for the merchandise as well as the addition of The Market. The Market at Ministry Village opened in December 2019, providing vendor booth space which allowed the Bargain Center to expand into a unique, boutique-style shopping experience. Vendors at The Market offer a variety of local, handmade, unique and custom items ranging from local honey and jewelry to handmade wreaths and crosses.
“We are very excited to be in the 9 Mile Road area,” says Julie Paden, manager of the Ministry Village Bargain Center. “This building was recently renovated so it truly helps us provide the boutique experience we wanted to be able to offer to our customers.”
While the Bargain Center offers discount shopping and thrifty finds to bargain-loving shoppers, its primary mission is to fund the various programs of Ministry Village at Olive – the Tender Hearts Caring Hands food pantry and benevolence program; Most Excellent Way’s addiction support groups; and the Charis House, a ladies faith-based residential recovery program for women suffering from addiction.
The Ministry Village Bargain Center’s hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Donations are accepted from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Patchy Fog Tonight, Sunny For Thursday
January 29, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 56.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties
January 29, 2020
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety internet-completion courses in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in February. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The locations and times of the online completion course are:
Escambia County
February 12 (6 to 10 p.m.) & February 29 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Molino Community Center
6450 Highway 95A in Molino
February 26 (6 to 10 p.m.) & February 29 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Langley Bell 4-H Center
3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Santa Rosa County
February 5 (6 to 10 p.m.) & February 29 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
February 19 (7 to 10 a.m.) & February 29 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Santa Rosa County Extension Office
6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676.
Giving Back: Tate High FFA Members Make PB&J Sandwiches For Waterfront Rescue
January 29, 2020
Members of the Tate High School FFA gave back to the community by preparing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the Waterfront Rescue Mission. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Get Free Reblended Paint From Escambia County
January 29, 2020
Escambia County offers free reblended paint in five gallon buckets.
The paint is available every Thursday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Perdido Landfill. It is offered to the public for free in exchange for a new five gallon bucket with a lid (available at local hardware stores). Available colors may include beige, black, blue, brown, green, grey, orange, pink, purple, red, yellow and white.
Citizens can also dispose of up to 20 gallons of latex and oil-based paint at a time at the landfill at no charge. Latex paint is screened twice, reblended and put into new five-gallon buckets.
Call (850) 937-2160 for additional information and color availability.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
