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Report says convicted ex-official killed himself
By TAMARA LUSH
Published February 18, 2005
A former Escambia County commissioner who admitted taking a $90,000 bribe committed suicide in November by drinking antifreeze, officials said.
Willie Junior killed himself Nov. 9, the day before he was to be sentenced on bribery, fraud and extortion charges stemming from a land deal.
Thursday's announcement by the Escambia County Medical Examiner's Office came more than two months after Junior's body was found under a friend's house.
Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said the findings should allay fears that Junior was murdered.
"It's hard to believe, but it's hard to refute it," said Elvin McCorvey, president of the Pensacola branch of the NAACP. "How do you refute it unless you have some evidence to the contrary?"
Marcille said investigators will keep the case open in case anyone has information that contradicts the suicide ruling.
Junior, who was 62 when he died, served on the Escambia commission for 18 years. He ran a government program for the needy and owned a funeral home known for its drive-through viewing window.
In 2002, a grand jury indicted four of five county commissioners on corruption charges, including Junior and W.D. Childers, former Florida Senate president.
Facing 125 years in prison, Junior agreed to testify against Childers. Childers was convicted, but his case is on appeal.
[Last modified February 18, 2005, 00:13:08]
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