Defense Demands Judge In Parkland Trial Be Removed
(Fort Lauderdale, FL)-- Attorneys for Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz want the judge off the case.Defense attorneys field a motion Friday demanding the removal of Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer. Cruz's lawyers moved to have the judge removed after Scherer called the defense "unprofessional" after they rested their case last week. Defense attorneys argue that her comments revealed what they call "long-held" animosity toward the defense counsel that has "infected' the proceedings and will keep their client from getting a fair trial.
Nikolas Cruz' lawyers are accused of misleading the court. That's what prosecutors said yesterday after Cruz' legal team filed a motion to have the judge disqualified. The state attorney's office says four members of Cruz' legal team failed to be candid with the court last week when asked about calling more witnesses, and they say that adversely impacted the court schedule. The sentencing trial won't resume until a week from tomorrow.
The 23-year-old Cruz pleaded guilty last December to murdering 14 students and three staff members at Marjorie Douglas Stoneman High School on Valentine's Day in 2018.
DeSantis Defends Sending Illegal Immigrants to Martha's Vineyard
(Daytona Beach, FL) -- Governor Ron DeSantis is standing by his decision to send about four-dozen illegal immigrants to Martha's Vineyard. DeSantis on Friday it's finally drawn the White House's attention to the border crisis. Speaking at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Friday, DeSantis said he'll spend all of the 12-million dollars the Legislature allocated to move illegal immigrants out of state. DeSantis insists reports that migrants didn't know they were going to Martha's Vineyard are false, saying the contractors gave them information packets.
Florida's Minimum Wage Set To Hit $11/Hour On September 30th
(Tallahassee, FL)-- Florida residents earning the state's minimum wage are less than two weeks away from getting a raise. This according to state officials, who say Florida's minimum wage will rise to 11 bucks an hour on September 30th. The voter-approved measure reportedly will see the state's minimum wage rise by one dollars each year before hitting 15 bucks an hour on September 30th, 2026.Subsequent minimum-wage increases will keep pace with inflation.
Aid Organizations Ready To Help Puerto Ricans Once Storm Passes
(Orlando, FL)-- An Orlando pastor is asking everyone to pray for the people of Puerto Rico like you never have before. The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Fiona made landfall yesterday afternoon on the island's southwest coast and caused catastrophic flooding. Jose Rodriguez is pastor at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Azalea Park, and he says most of his parishioners have family in Puerto Rico. He tells News 6 we're expecting there will be some need and displacement, and when that time comes, we'll be ready. Meanwhile, the Red Cross of Central Florida says it's ready to support thousands of families that may come here from the island.
TPD Officer Narrowly Avoids Wrong-Way Drivers
(Tampa, FL)-- A Tampa Police officer can credit his quick reflexes for narrowly avoiding a crash. The officer was transporting a suspect to jail yesterday morning on the Selmon Expressway when a car and a van approached, coming the wrong way. The TPD says Officer Scott Van Treese had to swerve onto the shoulder of the 78th Street exit ramp to avoid a collision. No one was hurt, but the wrong-way drivers were not caught. You can see the dashboard cam video of the close call at Twitter.com/TampaPD.
TODAY IN HISTORY
2014, Army veteran Omar Gonzalez jumped the White House fence and got past security making it all the way into the East Room before being tackled. He was carrying a knife during the incident.
1991, researchers discovered "The Iceman" in a glacier in the Alps. "The Iceman" is the most ancient human being ever found.
1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev was denied access to Disneyland during his visit to California for security reasons.
1957, the U.S. conducted its first underground nuclear test in the Nevada desert.
1881, President James Garfield died of wounds inflicted by an assassin.