With an April 29 trial date looming, animal cruelty suspect Robert Pettyjohn was back in court Friday, and lawyers were talking, outside of court, about a possible plea. No terms were disclosed, but Assistant State Attorney Bill Burgess said the state would not accept less than what has been on the table before: five years in prison and five years probation. That deal was rejected by Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Nelly Khouzam as too lenient. Now a new judge has the case, and the defense is raising Pettyjohn's mental health as an issue. Defense attorney Chip Purcell said he wants any agreement with the state to provide Pettyjohn with intense psychological counseling as well as prison time. Pettyjohn, 19, is charged with taking part in the beating of two llamas, one of which died, in East Lake last year.

Pregnant woman injured in collision on U.S. 19

PALM HARBOR -- A wreck on U.S. 19 north of Alderman Road on Friday afternoon sent a woman who is 10 weeks pregnant to the hospital with injuries that rescuers did not consider to be life-threatening. Latoya Suggs, 21, of Palm Harbor, was turning left from Lake Shore Drive onto southbound U.S. 19 about 3:30 p.m. when her Mitsubishi Mirage was hit by a northbound Plymouth Voyager driven by Margrit Cahenzli, said Florida Highway Patrol community service Officer Debra L. Styers. Suggs was cited for violating the right of way, Styers said. Cahenzli, 65, of Tarpon Springs, declined treatment. Suggs had to be cut out of her car and complained of hip and abdominal pain, said Palm Harbor Fire Rescue district Chief Dan Zinge. She was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. A passenger in her car, 19-year-old Garrick Scott of Palm Harbor, was taken by ambulance to Bayfront. Both were in listed good condition Friday evening.

Today's Fun 'n Sun activities

Clearwater Air Park Open House/Neighborhood Day.

What: Aircraft and related displays including vintage airplanes, demonstrations, children's activities, $15 rides over the beaches and the Gulf of Mexico in either a small plane or a helicopter and more. Also, free hot dogs.

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 1000 Hercules Ave. N, Clearwater.
Admission: Free.
Number to call: (727) 447-8122.

Third annual Sunsets Beach Fest.

What: A festival of live music, food and spirits, street entertainers, carnival rides and 50 craft artists. The theme is "Rock and Roll Then and Now." Acts include Blue Joules (4 p.m.); Stormbringer (5:30 p.m.); Big Sky (7:15 p.m.); and the headliner, Firehouse (9:30 p.m.)

When: 4 to 11 p.m.
Where: The Pier 60 Pavilion, Clearwater Beach.
Admission: Free (rides cost a few dollars each, however).

Second annual Grand Ole Opry King Mackerel Sport Fishing Tournament.

What: This Southern Kingfish Association-sanctioned tournament boasts a grand prize of $100,000. Sorry, it's too late for you to enter.

When: All weekend.
Where: Gulf of Mexico.
Admission: $425.
Number to call: (727) 363-0071.

Back to North Pinellas news

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

Special Links

Mary Jo Melone

Howard Troxler

From the Times
North Pinellas desks