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The Jennifer Porter case

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 4, 2005

	[Times photo, 2004: Skip O'Rourke]
	Jennifer Porter's plea deal calls for a maximum of three years in prison. The judge could give her more or less, though. Related Content: Photo gallery Sentencing starts for Porter Timeline
	Bryant Wilkins, left, was two days away from turning 14, and his half-brother Durontae Caldwell was 3 when they died in the March 2004 accident.
	Coming Nov. 13: A five-part special report detailing the case begins next Sunday.

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.

THE HEARING

Jennifer Porter's sentencing hearing begins at 10 a.m. today in Courtroom 22, on the third floor of the Courthouse Annex, 800 E Twiggs St., Tampa. The mother of the victims is among those expected to address Judge Emmett Lamar Battles.

Porter will serve no time in jail. She was sentenced to three years of probation, two years of community control or house arrest and 500 hours of community service.

Here are some of the key players involved in the case:

Jennifer Porter, 29, the former Muller Elementary School dance teacher, lives in the Land O'Lakes area with her parents.

Bryant Wilkins, 13, was fatally struck just before his birthday when he was crossing the street with his 3-year-old brother , Durontae Caldwell, who was also killed . Their siblings Aquina Wilkins, 8, and LaJuan Davis, 2, were seriously injured but survived the accident. Aquina has had two surgeries to repair a broken femur. LaJuan recovered physically, but it is too early to know if he suffered brain damage.

Lisa Wilkins, 30, the mother of the four children, now lives in Land O'Lakes.

Barry Cohen, 66, is the attorney Porter's parents got to defend her.

Kim Seace, 39, the lead prosecutor, heads the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office traffic homicide division.

Judge Emmett Lamar Battles, on the felony bench since April, will determine Porter's punishment.

[Last modified November 5, 2005, 07:22:11]