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…
Author: frank
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…
Driver in crash that killed teen wants bond restored
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. – A man charged with reckless driving in the death of a teen had his bond revoked after a new arrest and is fighting to get it restored. Dylan Duresh Katwaru was 17 on Jan. 11, 2022 when he lost control of a 2007 BMW, hit a raised median and caused the…
Prayers for peace and justice after terrorist attack
The New Orleans terrorist attack that killed 15 and injured dozens is a stark reminder that life and the freedom to be safe from evildoers a thread tugged taut. On a day when people should be celebrating the new year and a game between two fabled college football teams, the nation is reeling. That goes…
2024 was a tough year for courts, cops
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. – The year 2024 was a violent, tragic affair for cops and trial lawyers. On May 30, a man later identified as Alex Lopez burst into a Fruitland Park convenience store and mercilessly gunned down Raied “Ray” Shihadeh. Authorities also arrested a woman and charged her with helping hide him after the…
The greatest Christmas gifts
The song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” may be a beautiful tune, but it’s a tear-jerker when you’re 1,000 miles from family. The year 1968 was like that for me. I was at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, for advanced training, a long way from Jacksonville, Fla. My parents and my brother would be…