Loyd Gets Life In Prison
(Orlando, FL) -- Markeith Loyd's life is being spared, for now. A jury in Orange County yesterday sentenced Loyd to life in prison for killing pregnant ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon and her unborn baby three years ago. Prosecutors wanted the death penalty, and they could still get it at Loyd's next trial. Loyd will go on trial next year for allegedly killing Orlando Police Lieutenant Debra Clayton weeks after Dixon's killing.
Orange County Deputy Arrested
(Orlando, FL) -- An Orange County deputy finds himself on the wrong side of the law. Lieutenant Travis Mackey was arrested yesterday for pocketing off-duty pay for work he never performed. Deputies say Mackey was hired to work security at an apartment complex last year, but most of the time he never showed up despite getting paid almost 74-hundred dollars. Mackey has been with the OPD for over 25 years, but he's now charged with grand theft.
Tampa Lawyer Has License Suspended
(Tampa, FL) -- A Tampa lawyer and the ex-husband of a state official is being punished for allegedly stealing from his clients. The Florida Supreme Court yesterday suspended the license of Jose Toledo, who's accused of pocketing his clients' settlement money. The Florida Bar requested the suspension after finding Toledo would likely cause immediate and serious harm to his clients if he were allowed to keep practicing. More than 30 clients filed complaints against Toledo, who's also accused of owing over 100-thousand dollars to ex-wife and State Rep. Jackie Toledo.
Gaetz Leads Effort To Disrupt Impeachment Inquiry Interview
(Washington, DC) -- Matt Gaetz is responsible for what some colleagues are calling a stunt. The First District congressman led a group of about 30 fellow Republicans who disrupted an impeachment inquiry interview yesterday. Gaetz has complained that the inquiry is being done behind closed doors, and he barged into the interview room to, in his words, figure out what's going on.
Woman Wanted For Setting Woman On Fire
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A woman is wanted for what Tallahassee police call a heinous crime. Police say Mia Williams poured gasoline on another woman last night and set her on fire inside a Taco Bell on South Monroe Street. The victim is dealing with serious burns, and the 32-year-old Williams is facing a charge of attempted murder. There's no word on a motive.
Senators Reject Reinstating Israel As Broward Sheriff
(Tallahassee, FL) -- It will now be up to the voters of Broward County to decide if Scott Israel should get his job back. The state Senate yesterday voted against reinstating the sheriff, who was suspended this year for, in part, his handling of the Parkland school shooting. Some parents who lost children in the shooting made the trip to Tallahassee to watch the vote take place. Israel could still get his job back, though, as he has said he plans to run for sheriff next year.Israel said removing an elected sheriff from office marks a dark turning point in law enforcement and the vote means that instead of being accountable to the people, the sheriff's office is now subject to the petulant whims of partisan tyrants in Tallahassee. Governor DeSantis said he hopes the outcome provides some measure of relief to the victim's families.
Snowden: Aliens Haven't Contacted Earth
(Undated) -- Whistleblower Edward Snowden says aliens haven't contacted Earth and chemtrails aren't real. The former NSA contractor, who leaked info about massive government surveillance programs, said he had access to some of the nation's most closely guarded secrets and found nothing to back up the conspiracy theories. Speaking on Wednesday's episode of the "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, Snowden said if alien contact has been hidden, it's hidden really well. Snowden, who's now living in exile in Russia, says people really want to believe in conspiracy theories because they help life make sense.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
1989, actress Zsa Zsa Gabor was sentenced to 72 hours in jail, 120 hours of community service and $13 thousand in fines for slapping a police officer.
1989, popular television evangelist Jim Bakker was sentenced to 45 years in prison and fined $500 thousand following his conviction on 24 counts of fraud. He was released after serving only five years.
1962, the United States' blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis began.
1940, the 40-hour work week went into effect under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
1901, daredevil Anna Edson Taylor became the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. She emerged from the 175-foot fall without any injuries.