Second Person Dies From Injuries Sustained In Atmore Four Vehicle Crash
February 1, 2020
A second person involved in a four vehicle crash north of Atmore last week has died.
Bessie Lee Murphy, 65, of Beatrice, Ala., passed away from injuries sustained in the January 23 crash, Alabama State Troopers said Friday afternoon. She was a passenger in a Chevrolet Impala driven by Sherry Ann Dale, 60 of Frisco City.
Warren Demetrick Stallworth, 39, of Monroeville, died in the crash about 5:45 p.m. Highway 21 near Ross Road. Minutes before, an Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office began to pursue Stallworth, but Sheriff Heath Jackson said Stallworth may have never known because the deputy never caught up.
Jackson said one of his investigators was traveling south on Highway 21 in an unmarked vehicle when he was passed by a 2019 Acura TLX being driven in excess of 100 mph. The investigator and other drivers were forced off the roadway. The investigator activated his lights and sirens but was unable to catch up with Stallworth. The investigator found the crash a short time later.+
Stallworth’s Acura collided head-on with a 2019 Ford F-150 driven by Spencer Rogers, 36, of Atmore. Also involved in the crash was the Impala driven by Dale and a 2008 Dodge Ram driven by Sharon Banks, 53, of Monroeville.
Stallworth, who was not using a seat belt, was ejected from his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Alabama State Troopers are continuing their investigation.
Cheyenna Novotny Named Escambia County Teacher Of The Year
February 1, 2020
West Florida High School chemistry and science teacher Cheyenna Novotny was named Escambia County’s Teacher of the Year during the annual Golden Apple Awards Friday night.
- Kadee Barnett – first grade teacher, Beulah Elementary
- Jacqueline Chabot – third grade teacher, Montclair Elementary
- Maureen Harden – sixth grade math teacher, Bailey Middle School
- Cheyenna Novotny – chemistry and other science topics teacher, West Florida High School
- Jodi Woods – six grade mathematics teacher and math department chair, Ransom Middle School
Other finalists were Kadee Barnett – first grade teacher, Beulah Elementary, Jacqueline Chabot – third grade teacher, Montclair Elementary, Maureen Harden – sixth grade math teacher, Bailey Middle School, and Jodi Woods – six grade mathematics teacher and math department chair, Ransom Middle School.
Sentencing Delayed For Triple Murderer Hartung
February 1, 2020
Sentencing has been delayed by a few days in the case of Donald Hartung.
Sentencing hearings were set to begin Monday but have been delayed to a Thursday start due to witness availability. An Escambia County jury will decide he will spend the rest of his life in prison or be put to death for the triple murder of three relatives.
Hartung, 63, was convicted 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.
The jury vote must be unanimous to sentence to Hartung to death; otherwise, he will be sentenced to life in prison.
Prosecutors said Hartung was intentionally left out of his mother’s will with everything set to go to John and Richard Smith. The state said the interhertience was Hartung’s motivation, and the only way he would collect any cash would be to kill all three.
Three Northview High Weightlifters Place At Regionals
February 1, 2020
The Northview High School weightlifters placed in the Girls Weightlifting Regionals Friday.
Naudia Carach placed third, and De’Janique Lowery and Taylor McMinn both placed fifth in their individual classes.
Pictured above: (L-R) De’Janique Lowery, Taylor McMinn and Naudia Carach. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Seeks To Reimpose Patrick Gonzalez Death For Deaths Of Byrd And Melanie Billings
January 31, 2020
Friday, the State Attorney’s Office filed a motion to reinstate the death penalty for Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. for the 2009 deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings.
Gonzalez was sentenced to death back in 2011, but the Supreme Court later struck down Florida’s death penalty process in 2016. That ruling found that a jury must be unanimous in finding that aggravated factors existed and be unanimous in their decision for impose the death penalty.
The Gonzalez jury was unanimous in finding that there were aggravating factors in the Beulah couple’s death, but they split 10-2 on the vote for the death penalty. He petitioned the court and was granted a resentencing hearing late this year where jurors will revote on the death penalty.
But with a new Supreme Court ruling that allows the judge reinstate the death penalty, Eddins believes a judge could sentence Gonzalez to death without a jury.
“The new decision…makes it clear that the constitutional requirements were fulfilled in the Gonzalez case,” the motion filed Friday states. “A jury made the instant, unanimous findings of the existence of aggravated circumstances.” The court, “carefully considering the evidence, made a constitutionally proper section decision in imposing a death sentence.”
Gonzalez and four other men entered the home to steal a safe that they thought contained $13 million, according to court records. Byrd and Melanie Billings died after each being shot multiple times. The couple was known for adopting special needs children.
Cantonment Man Sentenced To Prison For Two Cottage Hill Shots Fired Incidents
January 31, 2020
Thursday, a Cantonment man was sentenced to state prison for two shots fired incidents in Cantonment last year.
James Peter Tipton, 39, was found guilty of discharging a firearm from a vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief. He was sentenced to four years in state prison with credit for 34 days served. He must pay $1,000 in restitution to the victim along with court costs and fines. Once released, he will be on probation for three years.
On July 13, 2019, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1800 block of Williams Ditch Road about 4 a.m. The victim reported that as he exited his vehicle someone driving a dark colored SUV fired two shots at him. About 7 a.m. deputies responded to another shots fired disturbance a short distance away in the 1400 block of Highway 95A. Tipton’s uncle reported that Tipton drove into his yard and entered his garage. The uncle observed Tipton removing guns from his SUV and placing them into the bed of the uncle’s truck. The victim also stated that Tipton fired two shots from a rifle into the woods.
A photo obtained NorthEscambia.com shows a bullet hole in the driver’s door of the reported victim’s pickup.
Tipton was taken into custody without incident. There were no injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New $1.9 Million Highway 168 Bridge In Bratt Set To Open Saturday
January 31, 2020
Work on a new bridge on Highway 168 just east of North Highway 99 in Bratt is complete, and the bridge over an unnamed branch is set to open to traffic sometime on Saturday, weather permitting.
The $1.9 million Florida Department of Transportation project includes two, 12-foot travel lanes with 6-foot shoulders and a concrete barrier wall. The project also included resurfacing the bridge approaches, new guardrail, drainage improvements, new pavement markings, and enhanced signage.
Work on the project began in mid-April 2019 to replace a structural deficient bridge with wooden supports that was constructed in 1967.
Once the new bridge is open, crews will begin removing a temporary bridge that was in place during construction. During that process, drivers are reminded to use caution and watch for workers and heavy trucks entering and exiting the roadway.
Editor’s note: The opening date has been updated to Saturday, February 1. It was originally set for Friday.
Pictured above and below: Work to complete a new bridge on Highway 168 in Bratt was coming to a close late Thursday afternoon. Pictured second below: A temporary bridge in place during construct will be removed. Pictured bottom: The new bridge replaces a structurally deficient bridge that was constructed in 1967. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Gets 24 Years For Double Fatal Easter Sunday Wreck
January 31, 2020
An Escambia County woman was sentenced to 24 years in prison for a double fatal Easter Sunday wreck that claimed the life of a father and son.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Marie Ann Simpkins previously pleaded no contest and accepted responsibility for two counts of DUI manslaughter, DUI causing property damage, DUI With a minor in the vehicle, and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.
Simpkins caused a traffic crash April 21, 2019, in the intersection of Fairfield Drive and W Street in Pensacola which claimed the lives of 49-year old Randy Riley and his son, 22-year old Nelson Riley. Simpkins’ vehicle also hit a Nissan Murano drive by Gladys Taylor, who suffered minor injuries. Two passengers in Simpkins’ car, 19-year old Jobe Simpkins and a 4-year old, were also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Prior to the crash, concerned motorists observed Simpkins driving in an unpredictable and reckless manner on Fairfield Drive The motorists had called 911 to report their concerns when the defendant ran the red light at the intersection at W Street causing the collision.
Simpkins’ son and 2-year-old grandson were occupants of her vehicle at the time of the crash. A small amount of cannabis was found in her belongings. A legal blood draw revealed Simpkins was under the influence of hydrocodone, citalopram, trazodone and tramadol at the time of the crash.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
January 31, 2020
Tate High School recently named students of the month for December They are Anna Moulds and David Wells, pictured with Principal Rick Shackle. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cybercrime Costs Nearly Double In Florida. Here’s Help To Stay Safe.
January 31, 2020
Cybercrime costs in Florida nearly doubled between 2015 and 2018, according to a new Florida Atlantic University analysis of FBI data.
With international criminals taking advantage of the global nature of the Internet, researchers report that cyberscams cost Florida victims more than $7400 on average in 2018, with total losses exceeding $178 million.
The best defense against these borderless criminals is getting educated on their methods and how to avoid falling victim to their scams, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. For more on online risks, email scams, cybersecurity, and ways to help keep you and your family safe from digital delinquents, visit www.secureflorida.org.