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FAMU Commencement Speaker John Morgan Inspires Graduates With Humor & Wisdom

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FAMU Commencement Speaker John Morgan Inspires Graduates With Humor & Wisdom

Florida A&M University Commencement Speaker Attorney John Morgan exhorted fall 2022 graduates with a mixture of humor and wisdom.

 

Addressing approximately 600 graduates from the University’s dozen colleges and schools in the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center on Friday evening, the founder of Morgan & Morgan shared time-honored aphorisms he hoped graduates would use as they made their way in the world.

 

“There’s a big difference in dreaming and living your dreams. My hope is that you get to live your dreams. Visionaries are a dime a dozen. The vision maker is the rarity; that is the person who lives their dreams,” said Morgan. “Living your dream is very hard. There are vision blockers who try to keep you still for many reasons. Some of our friends and relatives would rather a total stranger win the lottery than you.”

 

A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Morgan moved with his parents and siblings to Orlando, Florida, where he attended high school. After graduating, Morgan enrolled in the University of Florida (UF). He graduated from the UF College of Law in 1983. Five years later, he founded Morgan& Morgan with the mission to represent the people, not the powerful.

 

Without question, John Morgan has established himself as a preeminent legal leader and a friend of FAMU,” said President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., who awarded Morgan the President’s Award.

During his 20-minute speech, Morgan regaled the audience with the story about the 1975 Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier heavyweight championship boxing match, “the Thrilla in Manila” and the lessons each fighter learned.

 

“When things get tough along the way and you don’t think you can go another step, remember that story and answer the bell,” Morgan said referring to Ali’s historic victory. Having led a successful national law firm for more than three decades, Morgan reminded graduates of the need to set their priorities straight.

 

“Your future is whatever you decide to make it,” Morgan said. “When money guides you, you make less money. Greed is not good. Be driven by purpose and passion. If you love what you do, the work the hours will just breeze by.”

Failure can be helpful, Morgan reminded graduates. He cited the experience of failing to get a medical marijuana constitutional amendment on the first try with 58 percent of the vote, which was less than the two-thirds majority required for adoption. On the subsequent attempt, the measure garnered 72 percent of the vote. Morgan said he was inspired to push to legalize medical marijuana by the fate of his brother who was quadriplegic following an accident and endured years of debilitating pain.

 

“The lessons in a failed attempt are building blocks in your next adventure. In life, you need to accomplish success, but you must also seek significance. At the same time, failure can be your friend,” Morgan continued. “Go change the world; dare to be great; do good and do well; dream it and do it. Show up; be early; be great. Find purpose in your passion. And always answer the bell.”

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Crimes and Courts

Orange County Clerk Expands Self Help Legal Services to Winter Park

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WINTER PARK, Fla. (FNN) – Residents in need of affordable legal assistance can now access Self Help services at the Orange County Clerk of Courts’ new Winter Park location. This marks the second Self Help Center in Orange County, expanding affordable legal consultations beyond the main Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando.

Affordable Legal Help for the Community

Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell first introduced Self Help services in 2015 to support individuals who cannot afford an attorney but need legal guidance. The new Winter Park courthouse location continues that mission by providing low-cost legal consultations.

Attorney Consultations for Just $1 Per Minute
Residents can schedule a legal consultation for $1 per minute, available in 15-minute sessions, with a maximum of one hour per day. These services offer guidance on legal forms and procedures but do not include court representation.

What Legal Services Are Available?

The Self Help Center assists with:

Family Law Cases (excluding restraining orders):

  • Child Custody

  • Divorce

  • Paternity

Small Claims (for disputes under $8,000)

Residential Evictions

How to Access Self Help Legal Services

  • Winter Park Courthouse: In-person consultations available on Thursdays
  • Downtown Orlando Courthouse: In-person consultations available on Tuesdays
  • Virtual Consultations: Available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

The Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) provides the attorneys for consultations. However, these attorneys cannot represent clients in court.

Additional Services Available:

  • Legal Form Completion Assistance
  • Notary Services
  • Document Copy Services

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the Orange County Clerk of Courts website at www.myorangeclerk.com.

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Crimes and Courts

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Poinciana Stabbing, Osceola Deputies Says

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OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) A man is in custody after allegedly stabbing a woman multiple times in a violent attack early Friday morning, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:20 a.m. on March 7, 2025, reporting a stabbing at a residence in Poinciana, Florida. Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a female victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. Authorities quickly identified Julio Ramos-Aleman as the suspect in the brutal attack.

According to investigators, Ramos-Aleman fled the scene in his vehicle before deputies arrived. Detectives immediately launched an investigation and secured an arrest warrant for Attempted Murder. Through rapid investigative efforts, they were able to track down Ramos-Aleman and take him into custody.

Ramos-Aleman has since been arrested for Attempted Murder and booked into the Osceola County Jail with no bond. Officials have not yet released further details about the victim’s condition or what may have led to the attack.

What’s Next?

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident. Authorities encourage anyone with additional information to contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS to assist in the case.

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Crimes and Courts

FBI Arrests LGBTQ+ Democrat Leader Matthew Inman on Child Porn Charges

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The arrest of prominent LGBTQ+ leader Matthew A. Inman, 39, has sent shockwaves through Central Florida. The suspended Orange County Democratic Party’s Treasurer and President of the Rainbow Democrats now faces federal charges of transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to the United States Attorney’s Office Middle District of Florida.

Details of the Arrest and Charges

The FBI, as part of an extensive investigation, uncovered evidence that between August and October 2024, Inman received and stored multiple videos depicting child sexual abuse. These videos, stored on his phone, allegedly showed graphic acts of sexual assault on young children.

In October 2024, Inman traveled to Las Vegas, where he engaged in explicit online conversations with an undercover FBI officer posing as the father of a 9-year-old boy. **Inman expressed interest in meeting and sexually abusing the child, even going so far as to send additional CSAM videos to the undercover officer.**

When the FBI executed a search warrant at Inman’s Orlando residence, he attempted to delete evidence from his phone and hide in the attic. However, investigators were able to recover electronic devices containing incriminating material.

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the filing of a criminal complaint against Inman, charging him with the transportation of child sexual abuse material. If convicted, Inman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

Responses from Organizations

Following Inman’s arrest, several organizations distanced themselves from him and issued strong statements condemning his alleged actions:

Orange County Democratic Party Statement in Response to the Arrest of Matthew Inman:

Statement by the Rainbow Democrats Board in Response to the Arrest of Matthew Inman:

Visit Orlando

The tourism organization, where Inman was previously employed, confirmed his termination, stating, We are devastated to learn of these allegations and have ended his employment with immediate effect.”

Key Highlights

– FBI arrested Matthew Inman on federal child pornography charges.
– Allegations include possession of CSAM and attempts to meet a child for sexual abuse.
– Organizations, including the Orange County Democratic Party and Rainbow Democrats, severed ties with Inman and condemned his actions.
– Case brought under Project Safe Childhood to combat child exploitation.

About Project Safe Childhood

This case was pursued under **Project Safe Childhood**, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat child exploitation. The program unites federal, state, and local agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in the sexual exploitation of children. It also focuses on identifying and rescuing victims.

For more information on Project Safe Childhood and how to report suspected exploitation, visit [www.justice.gov/psc](https://www.justice.gov/psc).

Ongoing Legal Process

It’s important to note that the charges against Matthew Inman are allegations at this stage. **A criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.**

This case remains under investigation by the FBI, and Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan is leading the prosecution.

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