Murder trial witness gets probation after guilty plea
By Times Staff Writer
Published May 29, 2003
DADE CITY - One of two prostitutes who were witnesses in the murder trial of Jonathan Dye Jones last month pleaded guilty Wednesday to seven theft and drug charges in exchange for a light sentence.
Heather Marie Price, 26, of Dade City pleaded guilty to 2002 charges of grand theft, burglary, possession and sale of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia. She was sentenced to five years of probation, beginning with an immediate stay at an Ocala drug treatment center.
Prosecutor Manny Garcia said if convicted at trial, Price likely would face prison.
The two burglary charges carried a maximum 15-year prison term, Circuit Judge Wayne Cobb said.
Garcia said the probation sentence was below state guidelines but had nothing to do with Price's testimony implicating Jones at his trial. Instead, he said, it was the result of evaluations that showed Price's troubles all stem from her drug use and that she is prepared to accept treatment and change her ways.
Jones, 36, was convicted of second-degree murder in April in the 2001 shooting death of Florentino Cano. Price testified at his trial she saw Jones walk into Cano's room with a gun moments before shots rang out.
Jones is scheduled for sentencing today.
Schnauzer recovering from attack by dogs
DADE CITY - Puddles the dog has shown some improvement this week after he was attacked Saturday by dogs in the St. Joseph area, his owner said Wednesday.
Puddles, a 13-year-old, 15-pound schnauzer suffered more than 60 puncture wounds in the attack.
His owner, Philip Pribik, said Dr. William Moore has been caring for the dog at his Dade City veterinary clinic. Things are looking up for the severly injured dog, but Puddles is expected to stay at the clinic for at least the next 10 days and remains at serious risk for infection.
Pribik said he has received calls of support from other animal lovers, and he is planning to meet with Pasco County Animal Control investigators looking into the case and searching for the dogs that attacked Puddles.
Report: Driver clocked at 100 mph in 45 zone
SAN ANTONIO - A Dade City man was arrested early Wednesday after he sped down Curley Road at 100 mph before being pulled over, a sheriff's report said.
Mathew Jeffrey Woods, 18, of 36332 St. Joe Road, faces charges of reckless driving. He posted $500 bail and was released Wednesday from the county jail in Land O'Lakes.
According to the sheriff's report, Woods was speeding north on Curley Road near Whaley's Loop about 1:20 a.m. Wednesday. A deputy clocked him with radar going 99, then 100 mph. The speed limit on Curley Road is 45 mph. The report also says Woods passed another vehicle on Curley, a two-lane road. He was pulled over and arrested about a mile later, at Curley and Prospect roads.
