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Police find no reason to charge principal

By TIMES WIRES
Published January 13, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG

After investigating a parent's complaint, police have decided the principal of Bay Point Elementary School should not be charged with misdemeanor battery.

Tabatha Paige told police last month that principal Gaye Lively pushed her as she was leaving the school with her two sons. The two had argued that afternoon about pickup procedures, Paige said.

But after investigating, police determined that Lively was not trying to harm Paige and that no charges were warranted. Lively admitted to "gently touching" Paige's upper arm but denied pushing or grabbing, according to a police report. Other witnesses corroborated Lively's version of what happened.

Andrea Zahn, a spokeswoman for the school district, said the district's investigation also concluded that the allegations were unfounded, and that no further action was being considered.

Couey courtroom has a story to tell

John Couey will be tried next month in a courtroom with a notorious history.

Serial killer Ted Bundy was tried and convicted there three decades ago.

The trial of Couey, who is accused of killing Jessica Lunsford, is set to begin Feb. 12. About 50 members of the press turned up at the courthouse Friday to discuss trial logistics with local court officials.

Longtime prosecutor retires in Pasco

Assistant state attorney Phil Van Allen retired Friday after nearly 34 years prosecuting some of Pasco County's most notorious criminals.

Among them were Aileen Wuornos, the first convicted female serial killer in Florida; Gary Steven Cannon and Gary Elishi Cochran, both serving life sentences for the 1997 murder and rape of 9-year-old Sharra Ferger; and serial killer Bobby Joe Long, who hurled obscenities at Van Allen at a 1993 hearing.

[Last modified January 13, 2007, 01:50:10]