Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
JURY HEARS GRAPHIC DETAILS IN DOUBLE MURDER TRIAL
Jurors in the trial of a mother accused of killing her two children saw photos of various items around the family’s home. Monday was the first day in the trial of Julie Schenecker, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to two counts of first-degree murder. Police say Schenecker fatally shot her teenagers in January 2011 while then-husband was deployed overseas. The trial began Monday.
ORLANDO COMMUTER TRAIN EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS
Central Florida’s new commuter rail has exceeded passenger estimates, forcing officials to run an extra train mid-day and add shuttle service to train stations. SunRail officials say passenger estimates for the first two days of operation late last week were more than 10,000 boardings each day — about twice the number predicted.
WIDOW OF ‘DR. VODKA’ SUES IN FLORIDA CAR CRASH
The widow of a New York physician and distilled spirits entrepreneur known as “Dr. Vodka” has filed a lawsuit against the driver of a high-end sports car police say was speeding before a fatal crash. The lawsuit was filed Monday in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on behalf Solange Sandy Lloyd, widow of Dr. Malcolm Lloyd, and their two children.
VENEZUELANS IN MIAMI PLAN CARAVAN TO DC
Venezuelans in Miami are planning a caravan to Washington to press U.S. leaders for sanctions against Venezuela. The advocates are expected to depart Thursday and arrive in the nation’s capital on Friday. Venezuelan-Americans and others are traveling from throughout the country to participate in Friday’s events. They plan to meet with legislators and voice their support for sanctions against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
ATTORNEY: DETECTIVE’S PROBE AFFECTS SENTENCING
Attorneys representing a convicted cop killer have filed a motion to continue their client’s sentencing hearing because one of the detectives who testified against Morris is the target of a federal grand jury investigation. Defense attorney for Dontae Morris filed the motion to continue a sentencing hearing because of a scandal swirling around Tampa police detective Eric Houston, who was fired last month.
