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© St. Petersburg Times, published September 19, 2002
Sentencing reset for boys in dad's killing
PENSACOLA -- Sentencing for two boys convicted of killing their father was delayed Wednesday by a judge, who also is considering defense motions for a new trial.
Alex and Derek King, ages 13 and 14, were scheduled for sentencing Oct. 17, but Circuit Judge Frank Bell reset it for Dec. 4-5.
Bell said the delay would give a court-appointed psychiatrist sufficient time to examine the brothers.
A jury convicted the brothers on Sept. 6 of second-degree murder without a weapon for killing their father, Terry King, 40, although evidence indicated he was bludgeoned with an aluminum baseball bat. The boys also were convicted of arson for setting their house on fire.
The brothers face adult prison terms of 22 years to life under sentencing guidelines, but Bell can go below the minimum. They would have received automatic sentences of life without parole had the jury convicted them of first-degree murder as charged.
In media interviews, jurors said they were stunned to learn that a separate jury acquitted a co-defendant, Ricky Chavis, 40, who also had been charged with the Nov. 26 murder in nearby Cantonment. The King brothers' jurors said they believed Chavis wielded the bat, but they convicted the boys of second-degree murder because they let him inside the house and were present during the killing. Neither the defense nor prosecution suggested that theory.
ORLANDO -- A judge on Wednesday closed to the public a hearing to determine whether four drug rehabilitation workers where Noelle Bush is receiving treatment must answer police questions about the governor's daughter.
Police officers received a report last week that Noelle Bush had crack cocaine in her shoe, but workers at the Center for Drug-Free Living have refused to cooperate, citing privacy concerns.
The Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office has subpoenaed the four workers to compel them to answer questions.
Circuit Judge Belvin Perry on Thursday closed the hearing to reporters, citing public health laws that protect people in drug and alcohol treatment programs.
Margaret Kozan, an attorney for the Orlando Sentinel, argued that there was a public interest in the case since it involved Gov. Jeb Bush's daughter.
Carlos Burruezo, attorney for the rehab workers, said opening the hearing would violate patient confidentiality laws.
Perry said he would make a decision next week.
TALLAHASSEE -- A Winter Haven woman claimed her share of the Sept. 7 $87.8-million Lotto jackpot Wednesday.
Elida Garza, 40, was the sixth of the seven jackpot winners to claim her prize. She chose a lump sum payment of $6,852,930.76 rather than 30 annual payments of $418,142.
"I couldn't believe it," Garza said. "I just cried."
Garza said she will use the money to help her family and build a new house.
The seventh winning ticket was sold in Fort Myers but has not yet been redeemed.