Shooting at Shanty Town

[thebrokenforum]

10-20-LIFE has helped to drive down Florida's violent-gun crime rates by 30%. The state's 2004, "Index Crime" rate is now the lowest in 34 years, and the violent crime rate is the lowest in a quarter century.

http://www.dc.state.fl.us/oth/10-20-life/

Considering these statistics why do you think Jacksonville is such an anomaly? You would think that 10-20-LIFE would have lowered crime rates here but clearly it hasn't. Why?

[David]

Have you read the police report? They are public. The “driver” a third person who seems to be a female has already given witness,  the reports I saw said the guys planned this, they met several times throughout the day to plan,  it wasn’t a spur of the moment “let’s get some money” robbery. Read the report, the shooter was quoted as saying “ When he walked up to the door, the cracker (victim) tried to take his gun so he shot him twice”. If either of these two get probation it will be a miracle. I think it is dreaming that even the younger one gets probation. It looked like in the reports they had both admitted to what occurred.

I thought they weren't public until the case is closed?

[walter]

Doubt the younger is going to do anything other than plead, and turn witness against the older, clearly badder defendant.

Look for probation and diversion.

The younger one doesnt look terribly bright, but his record is minor bullshit compared to the criminal faced rogue who did the shooting.

huh?  they are both going to be charged with attempted first degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm dicharging the firearm resulting in great bodily injury.  Because they were with a third party, the woman who's basically given them up, they don't need the cooperation of the younger one.  These charges carry life sentences.  They've also been assigned to Judge Haddock, a judge who hands out life sentences like candy (example he will give someone 20years for sale of cocaine).  His court is called REPEAT OFFENDER COURT, which means no Probation or diversion!!!  that is only given to first time offenders who commit non-violent crimes like theft or drugs, these guys are going down hard.  From what it looks like in the police reports the younger one did the shooting and in Florida it doesn't matter, both are responsible under the principle theory, if they plan it and execute it, even if only one does the deed, the other is a principle in the 1st degree and is just as guilty.

[Ernest Street]

nope.  police reports are public.  They arent attorney's and they work for the public.  Even when the police reports don't result in charges being filed, they are always available within a few days at public records.

Video tapes from JSO cruisers are also available, but the officers have control of the Microphone and it's frequently Turned on and off making audio gaps in the tape.

[walter]

I think you are right about the shooter being the 21 year old, but I don't see the younger one getting less than 15 -20 years even with cooperation, particularly in that courtroom.  The fact that he shot twice tells me he had formed the proper intent necessary for attempted murder.  

[soxfan]

I think also that in the report it says that after the shooting the older guy was dropping the younger guy off at his house and handed him the gun and told him to wipe it clean and get rid of it. The younger guy then said that he would wipe it but that he was going to keep it.. I think that shows that he was willing to do it again. All the more reason I hope that the prosecutors don't try to cut a deal with him so he'll turn on the other one. I think they have enough evedence with the confessions and the girl witness/ accessory.. On a side, what good would it do to keep the gun whether it was wiped or not it can be matched to the bullets forensically. Also shows how stupid these idiots are. Prison is too good for them.

[Driven1]

Doubt the younger is going to do anything other than plead, and turn witness against the older, clearly badder defendant.

Look for probation and diversion.

The younger one doesnt look terribly bright, but his record is minor bullshit compared to the criminal faced rogue who did the shooting.

huh?  they are both going to be charged with attempted first degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm dicharging the firearm resulting in great bodily injury.  Because they were with a third party, the woman who's basically given them up, they don't need the cooperation of the younger one.  These charges carry life sentences.  They've also been assigned to Judge Haddock, a judge who hands out life sentences like candy (example he will give someone 20years for sale of cocaine).  His court is called REPEAT OFFENDER COURT, which means no Probation or diversion!!!  that is only given to first time offenders who commit non-violent crimes like theft or drugs, these guys are going down hard.  From what it looks like in the police reports the younger one did the shooting and in Florida it doesn't matter, both are responsible under the principle theory, if they plan it and execute it, even if only one does the deed, the other is a principle in the 1st degree and is just as guilty.

thank you Walter.  good information.

[RiversideGator]

Doubt the younger is going to do anything other than plead, and turn witness against the older, clearly badder defendant.

Look for probation and diversion.

The younger one doesnt look terribly bright, but his record is minor bullshit compared to the criminal faced rogue who did the shooting.

I dont think he will get probation and a diversion program if he is an accomplice to an armed robbery/attempted murder/aggravated battery.  He will do some significant time but it will not be as much as the shooter.

[vicupstate]

How is the victim doing?

[downtownparks]

Still in critical care. I saw him on Friday, and spoke to his girlfriend. He was still on the ventilator, but that was mainly a precaution from what I was told due to a preexisting medical condition. I was told he has been lucid a couple of times, but is being kept pretty well medicated. I plan on going to see him again later this week, if I hear anything in the mean time I will post it.

[cindi]

i just spoke with his girlfriend that said he was awake for several of the visits yesterday, still on the box but hopefully he will be off of that this week.  he was wanting water, we will know he is totally with it when he wants beer.  later this week, the shanty crew will have the ability for you to go in and leave a voice message which will be placed on an mp3 player and taken to him.  we will try and keep the messages updated so he isn't listening to the same people go on and on. 

[fsujax]

I visited Tom this morning he's awake and is very aware of what/who is around him. He can answer questions with nod of the head of hand signals.  He still has a good ways to go.  Still has the ventilator so he cant talk.

[downtownparks]

Thats awesome progress. Thanks FSU.

[David]

I haven't been up to shanty since a week after this happened. How is Tom doing? (since the last update)

Here's the flyer for the benefit concert:

[hooplady]

... How is Tom doing? (since the last update)

Progress is slow but it's coming.  He was moved to another ICU area this week and they are weaning him off the respirator.  He still can't talk because of the trach but he writes tons of notes.  His spirits are great; he just wants to get the heck out of the hospital, get into rehab and get on with living.

Thank you, everyone.  It just amazes me how many lives he has touched.

-hooplady a/k/a JanetD a/k/a "the girlfriend"