Digest

Dateline Florida

By Times Wires
Published September 12, 2007

Boss fires hero who was late to work

Waiter Juan Canales was opening the Thai restaurant where he worked Monday when he heard a woman screaming for help in the parking lot of a Fort Lauderdale shopping center. Canales, 42, saw the man, who the woman said demanded her truck keys at knifepoint, running away. Canales told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that he caught up to the man and grabbed a piece of wood from the back of a nearby truck. He threatened to hit the carjacker if he tried to get away. The man then lowered his knife and Canales and others held him down until police arrived. Canales remained at the scene for about an hour for police and media interviews. His reward? His manager fired him for being late - after the lunch rush.

Rapist picks castration over life term

A confessed rapist has agreed to an unusual plea deal that could save him from a life sentence. Bobby James Allen of Panama City filed a motion requesting castration in exchange for a reduced sentence on three counts of armed sexual battery, according to the Associated Press. Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet agreed to sentence Allen to 25 years in prison on Sept. 20 if he has the procedure to remove his testicles in the next eight days. Prosecutor Larry Basford said Allen's victims favor the deal.

Missing runner'sbody is found in lake

The body of a 15-year-old honors student was found in a lake Tuesday about 15 hours after he disappeared during a cross-country meet. Corey McKinzie started the 3.1-mile race with his teammates and was last seen Monday at the 1-mile mark. When McKinzie didn't cross the finish line, his coach and teammates searched the area for about 45 minutes before flagging down an officer, Davie police Lt. Wayne Boulier said. Rescue teams found McKinzie's body in a lake on the north side of the park about 10:15 a.m. The running path hugs the water.

[Last modified September 11, 2007, 23:57:15]