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By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 27, 2000
Seattle police arrest man wanted in Tampa killing
TAMPA -- A homeless man wanted for questioning in a murder five months ago in Tampa has been arrested in Seattle.
David Victor Getz, 39, was arrested by Seattle police for a minor offense last week. Police there noticed the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office had issued warrants for Getz.
Hillsborough detectives say Getz was involved in the April 23 murder of another homeless man, 49-year-old Halton Thompson, whose body was found behind a Kash n' Karry at Florida and Fletcher avenues in Carrollwood.
Joseph Richard Viele has been charged with Thompson's murder, but investigators think Getz helped Viele. Sheriff's officials wouldn't say Tuesday why they think Getz was involved.
After detectives interviewed Getz, they charged him with being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Until he can be extradited to Tampa, Getz is being held in Seattle.
TAMPA -- After interviewing 28 applicants, the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 2nd District Court of Appeal has chosen six nominees for an open seat on the bench. The nominees to the governor include: Tampa civil lawyer Michael Foster, Tampa appellate attorney Patricia Kelly, Polk County Circuit Judge Cecelia Moore, Clearwater general litigation attorney Morris Silberman, Bartow criminal defense lawyer Ronald Toward, and Tampa civil attorney Gwynne Young. Gov. Jeb Bush will now chose from that list to fill a seat to be vacated by retiring Judge Monterey Campbell. The 2nd DCA hears appeals from 14 counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco. The JNC will meet in Tampa on Thursday to interview candidates for a non-lawyer position on their committee. Applicants include a former city commissioner, an accountant and a plastic surgeon.
LARGO -- Want to comparison shop for a Medicare HMO? All five Medicare HMOs operating in Pinellas and Pasco counties will send representatives to a Senior Fair in Largo from 1 to 4 p.m. today to explain their benefits and premiums for 2001. With coverage changing dramatically from year to year, it's a chance to load up on information. The fair, sponsored by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, is at 6340 126th Ave. N.
CLEARWATER -- The Pinellas County Commission postponed votes Tuesday that would change the makeup of some of its 69 advisory boards. Since the commission has been expanded from five members to seven, a number of boards would also be expanded to add two members. In addition, the board members' terms would be changed so they run concurrently with the term of the county commissioner making the appointment.