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Police reports
By Times staff writer Man arrested in attack with razor on womanDADE CITY -- Dade City police officers on Wednesday arrested a 39-year-old man who they say used a straight razor to cut a woman across her stomach during an argument. Officers said Thames Anthony Dempsey, of 38619 Island Ave., was arguing with his girlfriend Sunday night when he held the straight razor to her throat, causing a small scratch. When she went to call police, another woman confronted Dempsey, and he made a 2-inch cut in her stomach with the razor. Police did not name either woman. Dempsey faces a charge of aggravated battery. He was taken to Land O'Lakes jail, where he remained Thursday without bail. Man to appeal conviction in murder of wifeDADE CITY -- Less than 24 hours after Jeremy Vargas received a life sentence for murdering his wife, his attorney filed notice that he will appeal the decision. A.J. Ivie filed notice in Circuit Court shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday that he would ask a higher court to overturn the ruling. The appeal is based in part on Circuit Judge Wayne Cobb's order that the trial go forward as scheduled this week. Although Vargas, 25, had demanded a speedy trial and forced the court to set trial this week, Ivie on Monday announced he needed more time to obtain an expert to review blood evidence. The judge said demanding a speedy trial carries with it the assumption that the defendant is ready for trial. Ivie also complained in his motion that the judge allowed hearsay evidence from Dade City police Detective Tim Harrelson. Jurors deliberated for two hours Wednesday before convicting Vargas. Prosecutors presented evidence that he smashed his 23-year-old wife's head in with a heavy, metal audiotape player in July 1999 in Dade City. Suspect now accused of threatening witnessNEW PORT RICHEY -- A 33-year-old New Port Richey man was arrested Wednesday after a witness involved in a case against him told Pasco sheriff's deputies that the man threatened him. William J. Montalvo of 5203 Mallet Drive faces one charge of tampering with a witness, in addition to the earlier charge of dealing in stolen property. The witness, Michael Weingart, told deputies that Montalvo came to talk to him Monday about a case against Montalvo involving the charge of dealing in stolen property. According to the arrest report, Weingart said Montalvo tried to intimidate him by getting in his face and shouting at him to keep quiet. Montalvo demanded to know what Weingart had said in deputy reports and demanded to see copies of them. Montalvo was taken to Land O'Lakes jail and was released early Thursday morning on $20,000 bail.
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From today's Pasco Times Editorial |
