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Around the state

Innocent man imprisoned 22 years seeks millions

By wire services
Published January 22, 2005

PORT ST. JOHN - A man freed after being behind bars 22 years for a rape he didn't commit plans to ask the state Legislature for about $4.9-million in compensation - and he is getting high-powered help.

Wilton A. Dedge, 43, went free after DNA evidence exonerated him Aug. 12 in the 1981 rape of a 17-year-old girl.

Now, Dedge and his attorneys are asking legislators to pass a special claims bill granting compensation for lost wages, wrongful imprisonment and costs incurred by his family and lawyers. Dedge was convicted in 1982 and in 1984 on a retrial.

"How can you put a number on it?" Dedge said while getting ready to leave for the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, where a documentary about his case is up for an award. "There's no right number. I would rather have the time back."

Dedge's lead counsel on the bill is Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte, former president of Florida State University. D'Alemberte has lined up Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indialantic, and Rep. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, to introduce the bill.Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno also is working on Dedge's behalf.

MIAMI - Miami-Dade County commissioners have set March 8 for voters to decide whether to allow slot machines at horse and dog tracks and jai alai frontons.

Residents of neighboring Broward County will decide the slot machine issue on the same day. Voters statewide approved a Florida constitutional change in November allowing the two counties to decide whether to allow slots at local parimutuel facilities.

MOUNT DORA - A man says he may sue the city because a police officer emptied a pendant containing his baby's ashes onto the ground last year.

The Police Department says it didn't happen.

Jason Burnham, 33, said he was stopped by a Mount Dora officer while walking home after Hurricane Charley in August.

First, Burnham said, the officer made him empty a prescription bottle of antidepressants.

Then the officer noticed a small pewter cross hanging around Burnham's neck. When Burnham told him it contained his baby's ashes, the officer yanked it off and poured the ashes on the ground, Burnham said.

"Something like that just destroys you," Burnham said.

Police Chief Randy Scoggins released a report Friday that concluded that the officer did check the vial in the cross to make sure it did not contain drugs, but put the top back on without spilling the contents.

Carli Miracle Burnham died in January 2002 at the age of 9 months when Burnham apparently rolled over on her in bed while both were napping.

[Last modified January 22, 2005, 00:37:20]