By Susan Jacobson and Amy Pavuk, Orlando Sentinel Flanked by a crowd of supporters, Caryn Kelley left the Orange County Courthouse late Tuesday a free woman after a jury found her not guilty of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of her boyfriend. "I'm going to sleep very well tonight, thank you," Kelley said. "It's been a long time coming." The three-man, three-woman jury deliberated for about an hour and 35 minutes before reaching its verdict. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-caryn-kelley-trial-closings-20130528,0,3718308.story … [Read more...]
Groot: ‘We Must Learn to See Hidden Value’
February 18, 2013 By
By DONNA BALANCIA, Contributor LAKE HELEN -- Attorney Lonnie Groot likes the balancing act. Over the years as attorney for various Central Florida municipalities, Groot has always sought to keep the balance between big city growth and small town identity. “There’s a special place in my heart for Seminole County and the surrounding towns,” he said. “The region has been very good to me.” As he looks out over Lake Monroe from the sea wall at Sanford, Groot, who is Of Counsel with Strenstrom McIntosh Colbert Wigham & Partlow PA, can see more than water and a couple of people fishing by the harbor. “It’s a hidden gem, don’t you think?” Groot says. “There is the desire here for Sanford to grow and there’s a lot of potential here.” Groot has a knack to see beyond face value, colleagues, friends and family members say. He likes to get down to the … [Read more...]
Fl. judge shields reporter from testifying in case
November 16, 2012 By
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida judge is rejecting a request by prosecutors to interview a reporter about a former aide to Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll. Circuit Judge Frank Sheffield on Wednesday ruled that The Florida Times-Union reporter Matt Dixon does not have to testify in the ongoing criminal case against Carletha Cole. Cole was arrested in 2011, accused of giving a Dixon a secret recording containing a conversation between Cole and Carroll's chief of staff. Prosecutors in October tried to subpoena Dixon but the newspaper went to court to fight the request. Sheffield ruled that the state attorney's office did not show that there was a compelling reason for Dixon to testify. The judge also said prosecutors have other ways to prove that Dixon received the recording without questioning him directly. Read … [Read more...]
Boca lawyer Bill Hager is Palm Beach’s new state representative
November 8, 2012 By
By WILLIAM KELLY, Daily News Staff Writer -- With the defeat of Mitt Romney, Connie Mack, Adam Hasner and possibly Allen West, Tuesday night wasn’t a happy occasion for local Republicans. But there’s some salve for the wound. The town’s new state representative is Republican Bill Hager of Boca Raton. Hager, who has represented District 87 since 2010, bested Democrat Tom Gustafson in their contest to represent the newly drawn District 89, which runs along the coast from Riviera Beach to Boca Raton. http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/news/national/boca-lawyer-bill-hager-is-palm-beachs-new-state-re/nSzqG/ … [Read more...]
