Citrus digest

By Times staff reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 6, 2001

Juror could become witness in attack trial

INVERNESS -- A potential juror became a prospective witness Monday for two men facing trial later this week in a case that police have described as a road rage fight. Attorneys were questioning the pool of 22 jurors for the trial scheduled to begin Thursday, asking them if anyone had read media accounts of the alleged attack. Rosita Porubsky, a Crystal River travel agent, acknowledged that she may have seen part of the alleged fracas from a passing car. Circuit Judge Barbara Gurrola cleared the room so Porubsky could be questioned individually, and now attorneys are hoping to depose her for further questioning before trial begins. Brothers Thadeus and Frederick Williams were 29 and 25 respectively when Crystal River police say they beat a Tampa truck driver severely following a roadway confrontation. Both are charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.

Man pleads no contest to having sex with minor

INVERNESS -- A man accused of having sex with a minor early last year pleaded no contest to the charge moments before his trial was to begin Monday. Kenneth Ray Toomey of Citrus Springs was 19 when Citrus County sheriff's deputies say he picked up a 14-year-old Beverly Hills girl at her school, took her to some woods and had sex with her. He was subsequently charged with committing lewd or lascivious battery on a child younger than 16. The no contest plea means Toomey neither admits nor denies the offense, and it came with prosecutors offering no guarantee on his sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for March 16. Toomey faces anywhere from about three years in prison to 15, according to a sentencing score sheet included in his court file.

Board of Nature Coast EMS to hold public meeting

LECANTO -- The board of directors for Nature Coast EMS will hold a public meeting at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Room 280 of the Lecanto Government Complex. Among the items to be discussed: a restructuring proposal to add an additional ambulance that would work 12-hour shifts in western Citrus County.

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