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Florida in brief

A look around the state.

By TIMES WIRES
Published September 8, 2006

Carlie Brucia's mother sentenced to 90 days in jail

BRADENTON - The mother of a slain 11-year-old girl whose abduction was captured by a security camera and aired on television worldwide was sentenced Thursday to 90 days in jail as part of a plea deal on prostitution and drug charges.

Susan Schorpen, 37, who had been jailed since her January arrest, received credit for time served. She said she plans to move to the Florida Keys.

Her daughter, Carlie Brucia, was abducted, raped and slain in February 2004. Joseph Smith, the former auto mechanic who grabbed her behind a Sarasota carwash, was sentenced to death in March.

Jurors cannot translate on their own, court says

TALLAHASSEE - Jurors should be instructed that they cannot use their own knowledge of foreign languages to decide whether a courtroom translation is correct if all parties to a case agree on its accuracy, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously decided Thursday.

The justices voted 6-1 to study further whether that restriction should apply if the parties disagree on the accuracy of a transcribed translation.

Deaths of woman, son in their home investigated

INTERLACHEN - Authorities are awaiting autopsies to determine the causes of death of a woman and her son whose bodies were discovered in their mobile home.

Putnam County sheriff's Maj. Keith Riddick said Thursday the victims were Anne E. Kuether, 43, and her son Steven David Kuether, a student at Interlachen Elementary School.

The bodies were found Wednesday after a neighbor called authorities.

State seeks public input on alligator management

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking public input for a comprehensive review of state alligator management policies.

Through the week of Sept. 18, the commission will post a survey on its Web site (www.myfwc.com/gators/input.html) to collect comments. It will use the surveys and other input to change current policy, if warranted.

National Guard reviewing security after laptop theft

BRADENTON - The Florida National Guard was conducting a security review Thursday after a laptop computer assigned to a soldier was stolen in a car burglary.

No classified information was on the laptop stolen Tuesday from a sergeant's car, said a military spokesman.

But the laptop did contain administrative records - including Social Security numbers - of up to 100 Florida National Guard soldiers, he said, adding that an "identity thief would need a lot more information."

- TIMES WIRES

[Last modified September 8, 2006, 06:07:09]