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[Times photo: John Pendygraft]
Jasmine Henry, 15, left, mourns with Garshika Limtom, 15, next to the site of the March 31 hit-and-run that left a small child and teenager dead and two children injured. The vigil was planned for shortly after 7:00 p.m., exactly 24 hours after the accident. [April 1, 2004]
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[Times photo: John Pendygraft]
Jennifer Porter, 28, reads a prepared statement with her lawyer Barry Cohen Monday, April 5. Porter, who is from Land O'Lakes, told the press that she was the driver of the Toyota Echo involved in the hit and run accident that left two children dead and two hospitalized.
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November 9, 2005Porter's attorney defends sentence
By CANDACE RONDEAUX
TAMPA - Jennifer Porter's courtroom battle may be finished, but the fight over her case continues.
November 6, 2005With two dead, is sentence fair?
By AMBER MOBLEY, JUSTIN GEORGE and REBECCA CATALANELLO
Jennifer Porter won't go to jail, and some, including the mother of two dead children, wonder if race was a factor.
November 5, 2005'I want her to be punished'
By CANDACE RONDEAUX
TAMPA - They whispered about her at Sunday Mass. They hooted and clapped and called her "murderer" when she walked into the jail to turn herself in. No one remembered the good girl anymore.
November 5, 2005No jail time for Porter
By CANDACE RONDEAUX
TAMPA - After a marathon hearing that ran well into the early hours this morning, a Hillsborough judge allowed teacher Jennifer Porter to avoid prison after pleading guilty in a March 2004 accident that left two children dead and two injured.
November 4, 2005The Jennifer Porter case
By Times Staff Writer
On the evening of March 31, 2004, four young siblings were struck in a hit-and-run accident in Tampa. Two died. On Aug. 30, as part of a deal struck with prosecutors, former Tampa teacher Jennifer Porter admitted her involvement in the accident and pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident involving death.
November 4, 2005Timeline
By Times Staff Writer
MARCH 31, 2004
November 4, 2005Sentencing starts for Porter
By CANDACE RONDEAUX
A judge will decide the punishment for the former dance teacher who drove off after an accident that killed two children.
August 31, 2005Hit-run case resolved with one word: guilty
By BRADY DENNIS and SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VANSICKLER
According to the new plea agreement, Jennifer Porter could serve up to three years in prison.
August 31, 2005Events in Porter case
By Times Staff Writer
MARCH 31, 2004
August 31, 2005Porter will face judge with limited felony case history
By Times Staff Writer
A retired U.S. Army colonel, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Emmett Lamar Battles, 54, began hearing felony cases in April.
August 31, 2005Statement of facts
By Times Staff Writer
Statement of facts in the Porter case, read aloud Tuesday by prosecutor Kim Seace:
June 17, 2005Hints at strategy come out in hit-and-run case
By CANDACE RONDEAUX
Prosecutors say a sort of insanity defense could be in the works for the dance teacher accused of killing two Tampa children.
June 2, 2005Lawsuit evaporates in hit-run deaths of 2
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
The victims' mother has bought a new house, hinting at a civil settlement while a criminal case continues.
June 1, 2005'Why did you leave my kids in the road?'
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Details emerge from a tearful meeting between grieving mother Lisa Wilkins and Jennifer Porter.
April 1, 2005'It's about my kids'
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
On the first anniversary of her sons' deaths in a hit-and-run, a mother reminds a memorial service audience that race was never a factor to her.
February 1, 2005A child's view of life and death
By CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD and THOMAS FRENCH
Last spring, on the evening of March 31, four children were struck down in a hit-and-run accident. Bryant Wilkins, 13, his sister Aquina, 8, and their brothers Durontae Caldwell, 3, and LaJuan Davis, 2, had just left a Tampa community center and were crossing 22nd Street together, heading for home, when they were hit. Aquina and LaJuan were seriously injured. Bryant and Durontae were killed.
January 21, 2005Teacher's hit-and-run case rescheduled for Oct. 31
By Times Staff Writer
TAMPA - The trial of Jennifer Porter, the suspended Muller Elementary schoolteacher accused of leaving the scene of an accident that killed two children, has been postponed until Oct. 31. Hillsborough Circuit Judge Anthony Black agreed Thursday to reschedule the trial, which had been set for April, after defense attorney Barry Cohen asked for more time to prepare. Prosecutor Kim Seace did not oppose the request.
October 8, 2004Judge sets date for Porter hit-run trial
By GRAHAM BRINK
Porter's lead attorney says there may not be enough time for him to complete a full investigation and be prepared for an April 4 trial.
August 18, 2004Porter's father regrets some decisions
By GRAHAM BRINK and DONG-PHOUNG NGUYEN
James Porter's actions in the aftermath of a fatal hit-and-run involving his daughter come out in an interview with prosecutors.
July 25, 2004Porter's family key in defense
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
The teacher involved in a fatal hit-and-run could be portrayed as misled by her family, attorneys say.
July 14, 2004Porter was suicidal, records say
By BRADY DENNIS and CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD
More than 1,000 pages of court records detail a family's actions in the days after two children died in a Tampa hit-and-run.
July 14, 2004Documents detail confusion over van
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Many witnesses said a white van hit Bryant Wilkins and his siblings. Ultimately, deputies said physical evidence pointed to a Toyota Echo.
June 13, 2004NAACP pushes for more serious charge in hit-run
By JAY CRIDLIN
The group calls on the FBI and FDLE to pursue a vehicular homicide case against Jennifer Porter. Investigators say there isn't enough evidence.
June 11, 2004NAACP asks FDLE to join hit-and-run investigation
By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN
TAMPA - Calling the charge against Jennifer Porter "lenient," the local chapter of the NAACP will ask the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to get involved in the investigation.
May 12, 2004Judicial newcomer takes lead in hit-run case
By CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD
Hillsborough Circuit Judge Anthony Black is assigned to preside over the matter.
May 5, 2004Teacher suspended without pay after her arrest in hit-and-run case
By Times Staff Writer
TAMPA - Without comment, the Hillsborough County School Board suspended dance teacher Jennifer Porter without pay Tuesday evening. The move was expected after she was formally charged with a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident with death.
May 3, 2004Race invariably colors our perspective of what is just and right
By MARY JO MELONE
Darlene Johnson did what a lot of people do. She called me to vent. She wanted to talk about - who else? - Jennifer Porter.
May 3, 2004Trial or plea? No easy answer
By GRAHAM BRINK
A trial may be risky for Jennifer Porter, but a plea may not save her either.
May 2, 2004Do we really know what we would do?
By BILL MAXWELL
The measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out. - Baron Thomas Babington Macauley, English historian and statesman
April 29, 2004Q&A: Jennifer Porter's Arrest
By Times Staff
Questions and answers on the hit-and-run case.
April 29, 2004Timeline
By CATHY WOS and Times staff
THE EVENING OF MARCH 31
April 29, 2004Fatal hit-run charge: leaving the scene
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Jennifer Porter was released on $7,500 bail. Her lawyer claimed no basis for a harsher charge of vehicular homicide.
April 29, 2004Hearing charge, neighbors ask, 'That's it?'
By BRADY DENNIS and MARCUS FRANKLIN
Those touched where they live by the death of two boys wonder aloud if a high-priced lawyer wins special treatment.
April 28, 2004Porter charged with leaving the scene involving death
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
The 28-year-old turned herself in to the Orient Road Jail this morning.
April 28, 2004Charges, penalties open to debate in hit-and-run
By GRAHAM BRINK and CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD
Jennifer Porter could face probation or years in prison if arrested.
April 27, 2004Brothers didn't suffer long, doctor says
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Their autopsies aren't done, but initial reports find the younger child was likely dragged by the same car that killed him.
April 26, 2004Who's victim, who's culprit obscured by haze shrouding hit-and-run
By MARY JO MELONE
They want to be super fair to her.
April 24, 2004Friend: Driver was in 'hysterics'
By CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD and GRAHAM BRINK
The friend's attorney says hit-run suspect Jennifer Porter told him in a frantic phone call that a body hit her car's windshield: "Bam!"
April 23, 2004As parents take oaths, hit-run rhetoric boils
By GRAHAM BRINK
Barry Cohen, the attorney for the Porter family, says, "the truth will come out. Justice will come out" in the case.
April 22, 2004Lawyer: Porter's parents will talk
By CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD and GRAHAM BRINK
Barry Cohen says the parents of Jennifer Porter will speak to prosecutors today. Another witness also comes forward.
April 21, 2004Lawyer swap roils hit-run inquiry
By CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD
Jennifer Porter's attorney, Barry Cohen, also accepts her parents as clients. Now it's unclear if any of them will cooperate in the investigation.
April 20, 2004Parents emerge as key in hit-run
By CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD
James and Lillian Porter become crucial in the fatal accident involving their daughter.
April 18, 2004How could the woman they know drive away?
By CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD
Two boys were dying in the street. Those who have met Jennifer Porter can't imagine her fleeing.
April 17, 2004Driver's parents risk jail for silence
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
A judge sends Jennifer Porter's parents home to think over their refusal to answer questions about a hit-and-run, saying he could hold them in contempt of court.
April 16, 2004Where did money go?
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
A lawyer for hit-and-run crash victims fears strangers collected money in the family's names, then kept it for themselves.
April 16, 2004Hit-run victim awaits return to normalcy
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Aquina Wilkins, 8, misses school and activity. But it's brothers Bryant and Durontae she misses most.
April 15, 2004Time can be a tool in traffic inquiries
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
Long waits for action in traffic cases can be painful for victims, but some say it helps investigations.
April 14, 2004Hit-run search lists released
By BRADY DENNIS and SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
Documents show that investigators removed an answering machine from Jennifer Porter's home along with other evidence.
April 14, 2004Officials hurry to improve street safety after tragedy
By BILL VARIAN
Flashing lights, new signs and fresh crosswalk striping are among the initial changes to a notorious section of 22nd Street.
April 13, 2004Foot, bike traffic increase risks on fairly safe roadway
By BRADY DENNIS and JOSH ZIMMER
An official says the stretch where four siblings were hit has adequate sidewalks, bike lanes, lighting and crosswalks.
April 11, 2004Hundreds mourn young hit-run victims
By RODNEY THRASH and LETITIA STEIN
With singing, crying, clapping and praying, a community says goodbye to Bryant Wilkins, 13, and his brother, Durontae Caldwell, 3.
April 10, 2004Hundreds gather at wake for brothers
By JAY CRIDLIN
Amid the mourning, members of the Uhuru movement plan a rally to protest the lack of charges in the fatal crash.
April 9, 2004After the hit, what could make a driver run?
By LEONORA LaPETER
A person's reaction to a terrible accident is usually to stop. But fear of consequences can lead some to drive away.
April 9, 2004Officials see more hit-run info
By Times Staff Writer
Anyone who called in the fatal accident, saw Jennifer Porter or her silver 2000 Toyota Echo, is asked to call the sheriff.
April 8, 2004Deputies search home in hit-and-run investigation
By BRADY DENNIS
Hillsborough County looks at improving the road where the fatal accident occurred.
April 8, 2004Calculation of whom to sue begins amid grief
By GRAHAM BRINK
The mother of the children injured and killed in a hit-run hires a personal injury attorney. She faces mounting expenses.
April 7, 2004Carwash tape may have hit-run evidence
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
A car suspected of involvement in the accident may have visited the business, officials say.
April 7, 2004Sheriff says be patient
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
"This isn't CSI," Cal Henderson tells residents demanding the arrest of a teacher who may have been involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident.
April 6, 2004'She wanted to come forward to do right thing'
By Times Staff
In a remarkable event, Tampa attorney Barry Cohen on Monday stepped forward with the driver of a car involved in Wednesday's hit-and-run crash that killed two boys at 22nd Street and E 142nd Avenue.
April 6, 2004Jennifer Porter Statement
By Times Staff
This is the transcript from a news conference Monday at the office of Tampa lawyer Barry Cohen.
April 6, 2004Elementary teacher drove hit-run car; no arrest made
By BRADY DENNIS
Jennifer Porter apologized to the bereaved family Monday. Her attorney says she was too scared to stop.
April 6, 2004Lawyer spins his strategy in hit-run
By GRAHAM BRINK
Barry Cohen begins by painting his 28-year-old client as a frightened woman - not a cold-hearted coward - in the crash that killed two.
April 5, 2004Press conference transcript
By Times Staff
From a press conference at the office of Tampa attorney Barry Cohen this morning:
April 5, 2004Driver in hit-run emerges today
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
The family that owns a confiscated Echo hires a noted attorney and plans a news conference.
April 4, 2004Officers comb for hit and run clues
By STEVE THOMPSON and LETITIA STEIN
Deputies return to the area where they found a car thought to be involved in the crash that killed two Tampa children.
April 3, 2004Car tied to hit-run found in Pasco
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN and SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Damage to the Toyota Echo matches evidence from the scene of the collision that killed two children and injured two others.
April 2, 2004Laws harsh on those who kill, flee in vehicles
By GRAHAM BRINK
TAMPA - A driver who kills pedestrians and then flees the scene faces serious charges in Florida.
April 2, 2004Mother endures night of shock after shock
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
TAMPA - It was shortly after midnight Thursday when Lisa Wilkins returned from identifying her second dead child.
April 2, 2004Streetlights failed to illuminate kids
By BRADY DENNIS
TAMPA - The four siblings walked away from the brightly lit basketball courts and into the growing darkness of 22nd Street.
April 2, 2004Tears and questions flow in hit-and-run aftermath
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN and SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-AN SICKLER
TAMPA - Bryant Wilkins was supposed to blow out candles on a big sheet cake in front of his classmates at Liberty Middle School in New Tampa today, a sweet 14th birthday.
April 1, 2004Child, teen die as drivers flee
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
A crowd of 200 shouts in outrage at the hit-and-run wrecks. "They were all walking together holding hands," one man says of the victims.
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