Tampa Bay briefs

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 5, 2000

Man sought in stabbing of pregnant woman

ST. PETERSBURG -- Police are looking for a man accused of stabbing a pregnant woman Monday night.

Earl W. Brown, 33, whose address wasn't available, is wanted on charges of attempted murder, burglary and stalking, police said. Brown is accused of breaking into his estranged wife's apartment at 145 Fourth Ave. N and stabbing his wife's roommate in the side.

The roommate, 22-year-old Tracia Elder, is seven months pregnant. Elder was released from a local hospital Tuesday, and the child she is carrying was not injured, police said.

Police say Brown's estranged wife, Terry Brown, 31, recently got an injunction for protection against him, and Earl Brown went to confront her. He was waiting in the women's apartment when they came home, said police Detective Terry Babb.

Brown struggled with his wife and then stabbed Elder while Elder was holding her 2-year-old child, Babb said.

Anyone who knows Earl Brown's whereabouts was asked to call the St. Petersburg Police Department at 893-7577.

Rattlesnake bites lawn maintenance worker

ST. PETERSBURG -- A lawn maintenance worker reported being bitten on the finger by a rattlesnake Wednesday while working at a retirement complex. The 19-year-old, whose name wasn't available, was bitten about noon at 7950 58th Ave. N, according to Sunstar Ambulance Service. He was taken to St. Petersburg General Hospital for treatment, and hospital officials reported that the snake bite had not broken the skin.

Ex-officer granted bail in spouse abuse case

TAMPA -- Circuit Judge Dennis Alvarez decided Wednesday to grant bail to a veteran Tampa police officer accused of abusing his estranged wife, but only if he meets a myriad of conditions.

Ray Sheridan, 46, who was fired from the department, will have to post $150,000 bail and be evaluated by a psychiatrist to determine what treatment he might require. He must also come up with a plan for where he is going to live, which must be approved by the judge before he can be released.

He cannot have any guns and cannot go near his wife's workplace or church and also must stay away from their children's schools.

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