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Crimes and Courts

Disney updates lawsuit against DeSantis to add new events

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Forbes | ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 03: General views of the Walt Disney 'Partners' statue at Magic Kingdom, ... [+]GC IMAGES

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Disney on Monday amended its free speech lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis to add recent developments in the tit-for-tat fight between the entertainment giant and the Florida governor, such as a new law granting the state unprecedented authority to inspect a monorail system at Disney World.

Disney’s amended complaint filed in federal court in Tallahassee is updated with developments since the entertainment giant almost two weeks ago sued DeSantis and an oversight board for the Disney World governing district that is made up of members newly appointed by the governor.

The new complaint references legislation passed last week by Florida lawmakers that rescinds agreements that Disney and a previous oversight board consisting of Disney supporters made earlier this year, giving the entertainment giant control over design and construction at Disney World. The amended lawsuit also includes the new measure passed last week by Florida lawmakers giving the state authority to inspect Disney World’s monorail system, which previously had been conducted in-house.

Disney is the only company impacted by the new measure and it “was precision-engineered to target Disney alone, just as Governor DeSantis intended and previewed,” said the amended lawsuit.

The Disney lawsuit asks a federal judge to void the governor’s takeover of the theme park district, as well as the oversight board’s actions, on the grounds that they were violations of company’s free speech rights.

Almost a week after Disney filed its lawsuit, members of the oversight board sued Disne y last week in state court in an effort to maintain its control of construction and design at Disney World. It claimed the agreements between the company and previous board members “reek of a backroom deal.”

Disney and DeSantis have been engaged in a tug-of-war for more than a year that has engulfed the governor in criticism as he prepares to launch an expected presidential bid in the coming weeks.

The fight began last year after Disney, beset by significant pressure both internally and externally, publicly opposed a state law that bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy critics call “Don’t Say Gay.”

As punishment, DeSantis took over Disney World’s self-governing district through legislation passed by Florida lawmakers and appointed a new board of supervisors that would oversee municipal services for the sprawling theme parks and hotels. But before the new board came in, the company made agreements with members of the previous oversight board that stripped the new supervisors of their authority when it comes to design and construction.

The creation of Disney’s self-governing district by the Florida Legislature was instrumental in the company’s decision in the 1960s to build near Orlando. The company had told the state at the time that it planned to build a futuristic city that would include a transit system and urban planning innovations, so the company needed autonomy in building and deciding how to use the land. The futuristic city never materialized and instead morphed into a second theme park that opened in 1982.

Crimes and Courts

Osceola County Mother Indicted for First Degree Murder in Daughter’s Drowning

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OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – A Kissimmee mother is facing severe charges after being formally indicted by an Osceola County grand jury on Wednesday. Kelsey Glover, 35, has been charged with First Degree Murder for the drowning death of her daughter and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon for an attack on another woman.

The incident occurred on November 20, 2024, when deputies from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office responded to a distressing 911 call. A female witness reported that Glover had attacked her with a hammer and drowned her daughter.

Upon arriving at the home in Kissimmee, deputies discovered the young girl unresponsive. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Further investigation determined that Glover drowned her daughter in a bathtub and physically assaulted the witness with a hammer.

On December 4, the State presented evidence to the Osceola County grand jury, which resulted in an indictment for First Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Next Steps in the Case
The legal process for Glover will now proceed through the Osceola County court system. Her arraignment, pre-trial motions, and trial dates will be scheduled in the coming weeks. The Osceola County Clerk of Court’s website will provide the latest updates on court hearings and proceedings.

The charges Glover faces are among the most serious in Florida’s legal system, with First Degree Murder carrying the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty.

For now, officials remain tight-lipped about further details surrounding the case as the investigation continues.

What’s Next?

  • Arraignment Hearing: Glover will formally hear the charges and enter a plea.
  • Pre-Trial Motions: Attorneys may file motions to suppress evidence, change venue, or challenge witness testimony.
  • Trial Preparation: Both the prosecution and defense will build their cases, which may include psychological evaluations, expert testimony, and gathering physical evidence.
  • Court Proceedings: Updates on trial dates will be posted on the Osceola County Clerk of Court’s website.
  • Sentencing: If convicted, Glover could face life imprisonment or the death penalty, depending on the trial outcome.

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Crimes and Courts

Sarah Boone Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murdering Boyfriend in Suitcase

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ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – On Monday, Sarah Boone, 47, was sentenced to life in the Florida Department of Corrections by Orange County Circuit Court Judge Michael Kraynick for the chilling murder of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres. Boone’s conviction stems from an incident on February 23, 2020, when she zipped Torres inside a suitcase, leaving him to suffocate.

Case Details
Boone was found guilty of Second Degree Murder on October 25, 2024, after a jury reviewed damning evidence, including cellphone videos recorded by Boone herself. The footage showed Boone taunting Torres as he desperately screamed for help from inside the suitcase. Despite his pleas, Boone refused to release him and instead went upstairs to sleep.

Trial and Sentencing
Judge Kraynick, after ordering a pre-sentence investigation, weighed several factors before delivering the sentence. He considered the details of the homicide, Boone’s personal background, criminal history, and previous trauma. The severity and calculated nature of Boone’s actions played a significant role in the life sentence ruling.

The Crime
The horrifying incident began as a purported game of hide-and-seek at Boone’s Winter Park apartment. However, the situation escalated fatally when Boone allegedly zipped Torres into the suitcase, later claiming she had forgotten about him. Torres’ body was discovered the next day when Boone reported the incident to law enforcement, maintaining it was an accident.

Investigators found Boone’s explanation inconsistent with the evidence. The recorded videos and the autopsy, which confirmed suffocation as the cause of death, were pivotal in securing the conviction.

Aftermath
Following the sentencing, Boone will be transferred to the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections, where she will serve her life sentence without the possibility of parole.

This case underscores the judicial system’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of domestic violence and upholding public safety.

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Crimes and Courts

Charles Bell Jr. Found Guilty of Murdering Ex-Wife in Okeechobee

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Charles Bell Jr. Found Guilty of Murdering Ex-Wife in Okeechobee
Charles Bell Jr. Found Guilty of Murdering Ex-Wife in Okeechobee | Florida National News

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – After a three-day trial, an Osceola County jury convicted Charles Bell Jr., 73, of Second Degree Murder (with a Firearm) for the 2021 fatal shooting of his ex-wife, Patricia Anne Davis, at her home in Okeechobee. Bell now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for December 17, 2024.

Case Details

  • Incident Date: August 28, 2021.
  • Location: 5600 block of Magnolia Court, Okeechobee.
  • Victim: Patricia Anne Davis, 68, found deceased from multiple gunshot wounds in her yard.
  • Suspect: Charles Bell Jr., the ex-husband of Ms. Davis, seen leaving the scene on a golf cart.

Key Events Leading to Conviction:

  • Witness Accounts:
    • A neighbor saw Bell speeding away from Davis’ home on a golf cart and later heard him confess to killing someone.
    • Witnesses reported hearing gunshots near the time Bell visited Davis’ home.
  • Evidence Recovered:
    • Deputies found a handgun and matching ammunition hidden in the woods on Bell’s property.
    • Spent shell casings at the crime scene matched the recovered ammunition.
  • Defendant’s Statements:
    • Bell admitted visiting Davis that morning but denied harming her. He claimed he asked her to clean his house and left.

 


Trial Outcome
:

  • After deliberations, the jury convicted Bell of Second Degree Murder, citing compelling evidence and witness testimonies.

What’s Next?

  • Sentencing Date: December 17, 2024.
  • Possible Sentence: Bell faces a firearm minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years to life in prison, given the nature of the crime.
  • Victim’s Family Statement: Family members are expected to deliver impact statements during the sentencing hearing.

 

This case highlights the tragic outcomes of domestic disputes and the importance of vigilance in reporting suspicious activities. Follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com and Florida National News Facebook Channel for updates on this story and other local news.

_______________________________________________________________________________
J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
News@FloridaNationalNews.com

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