Digest

Pilot hurt in plane crash near I-95

By Times Wires
Published September 22, 2007

FORT LAUDERDALE   

A small cargo plane with only the pilot on board crashed Friday along Interstate 95 shortly after taking off from a nearby airport, authorities said. The pilot suffered serious injuries, but no one was hurt on the ground.

The twin-engine Beechcraft crashed about 1:30 p.m., shortly after leaving Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, said city spokesman Chaz Adams.

"The aircraft appeared to not be gaining altitude. The pilot declared a Mayday and then went down," said Kathleen Bergen of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Fire trucks were spraying foam on the plane as it sat on the highway's shoulder.

"That obviously was one of the reasons why there are no injuries on the ground. It's not like it went down right in the middle" of the interstate, Adams said.

The pilot was taken to Broward General Medical Center, where he underwent surgery and was in critical condition, said Fort Lauderdale police spokesman Frank Sousa.

TALLAHASSEE

Woman on death row appeals her conviction

An appellate lawyer for the only woman on Florida's death row Friday urged the state Supreme Court to uphold a judge's order for a new sentencing hearing and reverse her conviction for masterminding her husband's shotgun slaying.

The high court will rule later on both issues. The resentencing order is based on the trial judge's findings that Virginia Larzelere's defense lawyers botched the penalty phase of her case.

A Volusia County jury convicted Larzelere, 54, of masterminding the 1991 shotgun slaying of her fourth husband, Dr. Norman Larzelere, 39, at his Edgewater dental office. Prosecutors said her motive was to collect $2-million in life insurance and $1-million in assets.

FORT LAUDERDALE

2 Jenne aides resign from Sheriff's Office

Acting Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti says two of his predecessor's former aides are leaving the office. Lamberti says Ed Dion and Candace Hartsell have resigned their posts and will leave the Broward Sheriff's Office in two weeks. Jenne resigned as sheriff earlier this month. A day after his resignation, he pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion and mail fraud conspiracy charges.

WELLINGTON

Deputy's wife accused of taped sex with teen

The wife of a Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy was arrested for allegedly having a videotaped sexual encounter with a 16-year-old boy.

German Armentano, 18, contacted Deputy John Wink on Aug. 30 to tell him he had a videotape of Wink's wife having sex with a minor, according to a sheriff's report. The two met and Wink, 27, obtained the tape and turned it over to investigators.

Jessica Wink, 22, of Wellington, is charged with sexual performance by a child. Armentano, 18, of Royal Palm Beach, faces the same charge for videotaping the encounter.

[Last modified September 21, 2007, 23:39:21]