2 dead in murder-suicide, ambush of police
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. — What began with a call about a woman screaming and running from a man ended with two people dead and police ambushed in a six-hour standoff Wednesday. Clermont Police have identified the man and woman killed in the apparent murder suicide as a couple that recently moved to Cottonwood Apartments at…
“Judy Doe” may have been killed by serial killer
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. – Sheriff’s investigators have identified the remains of a young woman discovered in 1984 through a DNA data base who may have been murdered by a serial killer. The body of “Judy Doe,” was found by a dirt road near Lake Dorr in Altoona on April 18, 1984. She has since been…
Not-so-routine traffic stop nets FBI most wanted suspect
LADY LAKE – Lady Lake Police on Saturday arrested one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives in what turned out to be a not-so-routine traffic stop. Donald Eugene Fields II was driving a white pickup truck when stopped by Sgt. Michelle Bilbrey at 9:15 a.m. at U.S. Highway 27/441 and Rolling Acres Road. The…
Man cops a plea in murder case for 35 years behind bars
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. — A codefendant in the drug rip-off case that saw one man convicted of murder last week, entered a plea Monday that resulted ln a 35-year prison sentence instead of a life sentence. Deandre B. Anderson, 34, copped a plea to principal to second-degree murder with a firearm. Last week, Circuit Judge…
Man convicted of murder in drug rip-off
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. — A judge Thursday ruled that an alleged drug dealer was guilty of being a principal to first-degree murder in the vehicle theft and slaying of a man in 2022. Circuit Judge James Baxley found Undray T. Benson, 53, guilty in a bench trial in the 2022 shooting of 31-year-old Antwain Hart…
No defendant, no problem for jury in fatal crash case
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. — A man on trial for killing another motorist while driving without a license was convicted by a jury who never laid eyes on him. William E. Wilhelm, 61, of Eustis failed to show up for his trial, so the trial judge revoked his bond and issued a warrant for his arrest…
Vape dog uncovers loaded handgun at school
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. — Leesburg police, using the Lake sheriff’s vape dog, uncovered a loaded, stolen 9 mm Glock handgun Thursday. They discovered the gun in a 9th grader’s backpack at Leesburg High School.
FHP arrest suspect in fatal hit-and-run
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. — Police have arrested a man they say was the hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a pedestrian trying to wave traffic around a tow truck Monday. The Florida Highway Patrol announced Thursday that it had arrested Charles M. Ramirez, 49, of Davenport. He was charged with leaving the scene of an…
Homeless man convicted of killing 91-year-old veteran
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. — John Taylor, a 91-year-old veteran, let a homeless couple stay on his property rent free last year. Then, he was beaten to death and his car stolen. A jury Thursday did not let that stand. Bryan “Ducky” Hamill, 46, was convicted of first-degree murder and grand theft auto after a tenant…
Judge revokes bond in vehicular homicide case
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. – A judge has revoked the bond of Dylan D. Katwaru who awaiting trial for allegedly causing a crash killing a teen after he was arrested on new drug charges. Katwaru will stay in jail until his trial, Circuit Judge James Baxley ruled Tuesday. The case is set for trial on March…