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Youth to serve life for killing man, 81

By TIMES WIRES
Published January 23, 2007

A local teenager agreed to spend the rest of his life in prison rather than face a potential death sentence for murdering an 81-year-old man in his mobile home in the spring. Christopher Peregory, 19, of Largo, pleaded no contest last month to stabbing Joseph Quaid to death at the Sea Horse Mobile Home Park in St. Petersburg. Pinellas Circuit Judge Timothy Peters sentenced Peregory to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors had said they intended to seek the death penalty against Peregory. Life in prison without chance of parole is the only other punishment the law allows for first-degree murder. Detectives said Peregory stabbed Quaid multiple times and stole about $300 and Quaid's white Chrysler PT Cruiser in April 2005. Investigators said Peregory may have targeted Quaid because he wanted the car. The victim and killer did not know each other and the crime appeared to be random, investigators said. Tips and clues led detectives to Peregory, who days after the murder had been arrested in Largo and jailed on unrelated charges. Peregory admitted to taking Quaid's car and money, but initially denied killing him, detectives said.

Officers arrest 28 at DUI checkpoints

Authorities arrested 28 people at two sobriety checkpoints over the weekend in mid Pinellas County. A total of 387 vehicles were stopped, resulting in eight driving under the influence arrests, 11 drug possession charges and 29 seat belt violations. Police and Pinellas County deputies conducted the first checkpoint Friday night on Missouri Avenue in Largo and the second early Saturday on U.S. 19 in Pinellas Park. In 2005, Pinellas had 1,631 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 1,162 injuries and 39 fatalities. "At the checkpoints, we stress that driving under the influence is not a victimless crime," sheriff's Sgt. Jim Bordner said.

Payback comes back to haunt angry driver

Life has a way of coming full circle. Consider this case, as recounted by Largo police: Early Saturday, a guy beats on a public phone at the Hess gas station at 13987 Walsingham Road. The clerk asks him to stop, and the man leaves. He returns with a baseball bat and attacks a car - the clerk's car. He drives away, but his car runs out of gas. A good Samaritan drives him to Hess, where he tries to fill a gas can. The clerk recognizes him and calls police. Officers arrested Kyle Charles Chiappone, 20, of St. Petersburg. Inside the car he was driving, police said they found nearly 2 ounces of marijuana and $2,450 in cash.

ELSEWHERE

SAILBOAT FIRE: One person was injured in a boat fire at the Blind Pass Marina at 9555 Blind Pass Road in St. Pete Beach. The fire began aboard a 27-foot sailboat just after 7 p.m. on Monday. Authorities said one person was taken to Tampa General Hospital and treated for burns. Authorities did not reveal the name of the victim.

DRUG ARREST: Deputies serving a search warrant Monday caught a man with cocaine and nearly 3 pounds of marijuana. Anthony Khoury, 33, of Port Richey is a convicted cocaine trafficker with dual U.S. and Israeli citizenship, Pasco sheriff's spokesman Doug Tobin said. Khoury was held in jail in lieu of $20,500 bail.

[Last modified January 23, 2007, 00:34:38]