Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
FLORIDA DEMOCRATS HOLD UNITY RALLIES
Just days after Florida’s primary election, the state’s Democrats are making a show of unity at rallies in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. The rallies Thursday will include appearances by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist and Attorney General nominee George Sheldon.
WOMAN STRUCK BY TRAIN, LOSES ARM
Authorities say a young woman lost her right arm after being struck by a train in north Florida. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports that woman was apparently drunk and upset about a recent breakup when she was lying next to a train track in Belleview early Wednesday morning. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
MAN GETS 15 YEARS FOR FATAL ROBBERY
A central Florida man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a fatal robbery. As part of a deal with Polk County prosecutors to avoid a possible life sentence, 21-year-old Denard McCray pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder. He had been charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery with a firearm.
MAN GETS LIFE FOR KILLING LAKELAND POLICE OFFICER
A central Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing a Lakeland police officer. A Polk County judge sentenced 21-year-old Kyle Williams on Tuesday. A jury convicted him last week of first-degree murder. Prosecutors had been seeking the death penalty, but jurors recommended the life sentence. Authorities say Officer Arnulfo Crispin was attempting to perform a pat-down search of Williams and four other young men in December 2011 when Williams shot the officer in the head.
EX-EXPRESSWAY BOARD MEMBER GUILTY OF BRIBERY
A former Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority board member has been found guilty of offering a multi-million dollar agency contract to a consultant on the condition that his friends were also hired. An Orange County jury found 38-year-old Richard “Scott” Batterson guilty Wednesday of two second-degree felony charges. Batterson faces 15 years in prison and fines on each of the counts of bribery and solicitation for receiving unlawful compensation.
