Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
FLORIDA TRIPLE-HOMICIDE SUSPECT CAPTURED IN TENNESSEE
Authorities in East Tennessee say they have captured the suspect in a triple homicide in Florida. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office reports that David Eugene Smith called 911 Tuesday morning to say he was the man wanted in connection with the shooting deaths of two women and a man near Lakeland over the weekend. Smith reportedly claimed he wanted to die at the hands of law enforcement.
FAMU HAZING DEFENDENANTS SET FOR TRIAL IN JUNE
The remaining five defendants charged in the hazing death of a Florida A&M drum major are heading to trial in June. A judge on Tuesday set a June 24 trial date. Fifteen former band members were charged with manslaughter and hazing in the November 2011 death of Robert Champion of Decatur, Georgia. Seven accepted plea deals of community service and probation.
FLORIDA TRIAL OVER POLITICAL MAPS ENTERS SECOND WEEK
The non-jury trial is expected to resume Tuesday with testimony from well-connected Republican political consultants. A coalition of groups contends state legislators ignored a 2010 constitutional amendment that required them to draw up congressional districts that do not protect incumbents or members of a certain party. Attorneys for the Legislature have denied any wrongdoing.
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE DIPS SLIGHTLY
Florida’s consumer confidence has taken a slight hit, dropping slightly in the latest survey released by the University of Florida on Tuesday. The survey indicates the state’s consumer confidence level was 78 in May, on a scale of 2 to 150 benchmarked to 1966 at a value of 100.
BROWARD JUDGE FACES DUI CHARGES
Officials say Circuit Judge Lynn Rosenthal faces charges of driving under the influence after her vehicle hit a Broward sheriff’s deputy’s parked cruiser in the parking lot of the Fort Lauderdale Courthouse. She was arrested and taken to jail.
