2 More Charges In Shooting Of Autistic Man’s Caretaker
MIAMI (AP) — Authorities have upgraded charges against a North Miami police officer accused of illegally shooting an autistic man’s caretaker who was on the ground with his arms in the air.
Prosecutors charged 30-year-old Officer Jonathan Aledda on Friday with additional attempted manslaughter and culpable negligence charges for the 2016 shooting of Charles Kinsey. The Miami Herald (http://hrld.us/2ra2jDE ) reports he now faces four charges in the case tentatively scheduled for trial Oct. 9.
Aledda wasn’t in court, but attorney Douglas Hartman says his client is innocent.
Officials say Kinsey was trying to coax Arnaldo Rios back to a group home when the officer fired at Rios but hit Kinsey.
The Florida Legislature approved a measure awaiting Gov. Rick Scott’s signature that requires better training for police officers on dealing with autistic individuals.
First Time In 7 years: No Cuban Migrants To US Caught At Sea
MIAMI (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard is hailing a landmark: Last month was the first in seven years when no Cuban migrants were caught trying to reach the U.S. by sea.
Coast Guard Commandant Paul Zukunft told The Wall Street Journal that no vessels were seized in April, and Coast Guard officials confirmed the data on Friday.
That’s a sea change from 2016, when 5,000 Cubans were apprehended in the water, the highest number the agency had seen in a decade.
The agency credits the end of a policy granting residency to any Cuban who steps on American soil. After President Barack Obama ended the “wet foot, dry foot” policy in January, interdictions dropped sharply across the Florida Straits and through the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico.
FPL Investigating Thefts Of Tires, Wheels, Truck Batteries
MIAMI (AP) — Florida Power & Light officials say they’re increasing security following a series of “highly organized” thefts of tires, wheels and car batteries from the power company’s trucks.
Company spokesman Dave McDermitt tells the Miami Herald (http://hrld.us/2q9cLwA ) that thieves have taken more than $10,000 in property – including 68 tires and 16 batteries – from trucks in four Florida cities.
McDermitt says thieves have cut through fencings to gain access to the company’s service centers and power substations. The thefts were first noticed in January in Port St. Lucie. They’ve also stolen from trucks in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Jupiter.
The company is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Police have also been notified of the thefts.
Suspect Killed During Shootout With Florida Deputies
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a man was shot and killed after two separate shootouts with South Florida deputies.
The Palm Beach Post (https://goo.gl/7eLHw7) reports that 46-year-old Philip O’Shea died Friday evening. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw says O’Shea had an extensive criminal history and was wanted in Raleigh, North Carolina, in connection with a May 2 motel robbery.
Bradshaw says three deputies fired on O’Shea during a confrontation Friday evening in Jupiter. No deputies were injured, but a K9 officer named Kasper was shot. Bradshaw says the dog is expected to survive.
Authorities say O’Shea was involved in a shootout Friday morning in suburban West Palm Beach where one deputy was injured while diving for cover.
State law enforcement agents will investigate the shooting.
Man On Flakka Guilty Of Beating Elderly Woman To Death
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A man has been convicted of beating a random elderly woman to death after taking the synthetic drug flakka.
The Palm Beach Post (https://goo.gl/pZLFXb ) reports that jurors found Derren Morrison guilty Friday of first-degree murder, rejecting his insanity defense. Morrison faces a mandatory life sentence.
Authorities say Morrison attacked 83-year-old Louise Clinton in front of her Riviera Beach home in 2015, and she died in a hospital three months later.
Authorities found no previous connection between Morrison and Clinton. Morrison’s family members say he had been hallucinating before the attack and thought someone was trying to kill him. Morrison told officers after the attack that he saw Clinton as a blood-covered demon.