Valdes Case Prosecutors Given Time Off
Prosecutors To Decide How To Handle Other Cases
POSTED: Tuesday, February 19, 2002
UPDATED: 3:17 pm EST February 19,
2002
STARKE, Fla. -- Prosecutors said they will not decide until March how to handle the cases of five other guards charged with killing a death-row inmate.A Bradford County jury acquitted Friday three guards in the July 1999 death of inmate Frank Valdes.State Attorney Bill Cervone gave the three trial prosecutors and an investigator the rest of the month off to rest. Cervone said he would meet with them and representatives of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Department of Corrections before deciding on how to proceed with the remaining cases.If prosecutors take the case to trial, they will again face the daunting prospect of choosing a jury in Bradford County, where the Department of Corrections is the largest employer.
Cervone said defense attorneys would have somewhat of an advantage in any future trial because they have heard the state's evidence in the case.Meanwhile, Valdes's widow, Wanda Valdes (pictured, left), of West Palm Beach, said she would talk to reporters for the first time Wednesday morning at a news conference in her attorney's Miami office.
Cervone said defense attorneys would have somewhat of an advantage in any future trial because they have heard the state's evidence in the case.Meanwhile, Valdes's widow, Wanda Valdes (pictured, left), of West Palm Beach, said she would talk to reporters for the first time Wednesday morning at a news conference in her attorney's Miami office. Previous Stories:
- February 16, 2002: Jury Acquits Guards In Valdes Case
- February 11, 2002: Prison Officer Testifies In Inmate Death Trial
- February 4, 2002: Inmate Testified He Heard Valdes Being Beaten
- January 30, 2002: Star Witness: Guard Captain Shocked Inmate
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and a woman were found shot to death Saturday inside a residence in Nashville, police say.
Cities and towns across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia put on fireworks displays, parades, concerts and other celebrations of America's birthday.
Authorities in Gainesville still searching for the gunmen.
One person is dead following a traffic crash in the middle of the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Jacksonville begins Independence Day festivities on Friday, with much more in store for the holiday.
An afternoon of country music is capped by SkyBlast, Jacksonville's fireworks display.
One day after 76 dogs were confiscated from a south Putnam County mobile home, plenty of people are offering homes for the animals, but they may only be temporary.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has arrested four people accused of shoplifting at a Westside department store is also suspected of hitting stores at the St. Johns Town Center.
Sarah Palin is stepping down as Alaska governor.
It formed in southern Duval County and slowly moved north -- mostly on or near the St. Johns River -- so thousands of people could witness its power.
Viewers throughout Duval County saw, snapped and sent in photos of the waterspout that moved up the river Friday afternoon.
Capturing N.E. Florida's wanted suspects is a tough task, so the local station is trying to help with the Wheel of Justice. Every Thursday morning the wheel spins and a wanted fugitive is profiled.
View All Fugitives On 'Wheel'
Email Alerts
RSS News Feeds
Mobile
Live Streams
Slideshows
Video
Search
