Florida Sentinel Bulletin

Early Sunday, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue units responded to 4919 84^th Street in Progress Village for a house fire.

At the time of the fire, Hillard Wilkerson and his wife were inside sleeping.

The couple said their smoke alarm alerted them to the fire, and they left the residence, calling 9-1-1.

Firefighters at the scene reported that they found heavy black smoke and fire in the kitchen area. The fire was contained in a matter of minutes, and one of the Wilkersons was hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

The home suffered severe fire damage to the kitchen, and smoke damage to the rest of the residence.

The Wilkersons will be staying with relatives while their home is being repaired, and inspectors said the fire was accidental and started in the kitchen area.

Officials expressed the importance of having a functioning smoke alarm.

Last Thursday, a grand jury indicted Antonius Williams for the premeditated first-degree murder and robbery of Alvin Christopher Johnson on October 5, 2005.

Since the date of the incident, investigators have kept the case active, and over the past two years, authorities have worked to resolve the case.

On October 5, 2005, Johnson reportedly talked to Williams about the alleged sale and delivery of marijuana. Later, authorities said Johnson wouldn’t return calls to friends and family, so he was reported missing.

On October 8, 2005, Johnson’s vehicle was found at the Best Western Hotel on Adamo Drive with his body inside the trunk. His hands and feet were tied, detectives reported.

After interviews with Williams and witnesses, Williams allegedly admitted calling Johnson to arrange a drug purchase.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Saturday, August 24^th, at 4 p.m., LIFE, a noted poet and Sentinel Columnist will host a book signing to introduce his first book to the community. The event will take place at Mocha Brown’s Coffee Shop, 428 W. Waters Avenue.

Entitled “On ‘Black On Black’ Love…” the book is a compilation of poems and the stories from which they were inspired. LIFE said the idea for the book came about after talking to friends.

“I started writing poems more than ten years ago. One friend remarked how important it is to have what’s written in printed form so that it can be passed on to the next generation. I was talking to another friend who shared the same idea, and that is how I became a columnist.”

The only child of Mrs. Ernestine Coleman and grandson of the late Mrs. Alberta Macon, LIFE graduated from Jesuit High School in 1992. He then prepared to pursue a career in the U. S. Naval Academy.

It was also during this time that he began to experience a change in his thought. After about a year, he left the naval Academy. “At that time in my life, I switched from going to work for the government to going to work for the people. I became an activist. The Navy said they could not continue our relationship. We weren’t made for each other.”

His next decision took him to the campus of Morehouse College in Atlanta, and his introduction as a rapper. He was on the road to becoming a successful rapper and was only 3 songs away from completing his first album.

But, during a visit home, he was involved in an accident that left him with a broken neck and jaw. It took him about 6 months to recover and by that time, his window of opportunity had passed.

The 38-year-old father of 4 children said his fan base was in Atlanta and the people in Tampa weren’t ready for his style of music. Besides that, he had 2 young children to support.

A mason by trade, LIFE entered the workforce and began attending poetry shows at the urging of a friend. Although his style evolved from rap to poetry, his message remained the same.

He plans to continue writing and is currently working on his memoirs. Unmarried, but committed, he enjoys spending time with family, including his brothers, Ronnie, Robert, and Deontae. He enjoys traveling as a form of change, but said he doesn’t have time for hobbies.

“I am committed to the freedom of our people. I read, write and attend social functions to help us get a little bit closer to being free.”

Tampa Police have reported that at 6:31 a. m. Thursday, a man was killed attempting to cross Adamo Drive and 50^th Street.

Police said Charles Bilal, 44, was walking across Adamo Drive at 50^th Street when he was hit by a red Ford Ranger truck.

Police said the truck had the right of way, and because Bilal was wearing dark clothing, the driver did not see him crossing the road.

The driver pulled over after the accident and Bilal was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police say no criminal charges are expected in the accident.

Traffic at that intersection was heavier than usual, due to repairs being made at the railroad crossing just east of 50^th Street on Adamo Drive.

Abdul Bilal, Charle’s father, said his son was apparently on his way to work when the accident occurred.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Tuesday morning, a Hillsborough County judge declared a mistrial in a death penalty murder case. The mistrial came about after a witness made comments that had previously agreed that would be inadmissible.

A 16-panel jury was selected last Friday in the first-degree murder trial of Richard Anthony McTear, Jr. McTear, 25, is accused of causing the death of 3-month-old Emmanuel Wesley Murray, Jr., on May 5, 2009.

McTear is represented by Attorney Michael Peakcock and Attorney Theda James, of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office. Hillsborough County Assistant State Attorney Ron Gale and Attorney Michelle Doherty are prosecuting the case.

Hillsborough County Judge William Fuente said on Tuesday, “The jurors heard testimony they should not have heard under any circumstances. In this court’s opinion, a mistrial is necessary. … I do this with extreme reluctance.”

In his court order Judge Fuente wrote, “The granting of a motion for mistrial is not based on whether the error is simply “prejudicial, rather the standard requires that a mistrial be granted only “where an error is so prejudicial as to vitiate the entire trial,” such that a mistrial is “necessary to ensure that a defendant receives a fair trial….

“In order for the inadmissible complained-of testimony to merit a mistrial, the testimony must deprive the defendant of a fair and impartial trial, materially contribute to any conviction, and be so harmful or fundamentally tainted as to require a mistrial, or be so inflammatory that it might influence a jury to reach a verdict that it otherwise might not.”

Ms. Jasmine Bidwell, 22, was the State’s star witness in the case. She took the stand Monday and during questioning by the prosecutor’s office, recounted incidents leading up to her son’s murder. She testified about telephone calls she had allegedly received from McTear.

At one point during the questioning Attorney Gale asked Ms. Bidwell if she had received any phone calls on May 4, 2009, from McTear and she responded that she had.

Attorney Gale then asked, “What was the nature of those phone calls?”

Ms. Bedwell replied, “He wanted to come over, and I told him no. And he told me that he was going to come over and shoot my baby in the face and p—on him and in his face and he was gonna kill both of us.”

Those comments had reportedly been linked to a battery that took place in March 2009, two months before the death of the infant. Both the State and the Defense had agreed they were inadmissible to the murder case.

Judge Fuente wrote, “… Such would not be relevant because McTear uttered those words in March 2009 in an unrelated case, hence they would not be competent evidence in the instant homicide offense of May 2009.”

McTear was acquitted of the battery charge.

After the comments were made, McTear’s counsel, Attorney Peacock called for a mistrial on the basis that the statements had already been ruled inadmissible.

A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the ruling.

Hillsborough County Public Defender Julieann Holt said of the ruling, “We thought the judge followed the law and did what was necessary to ensure a fair trial. We will be ready as soon as the court can calendar a new trial date.

Ms. Bidwell notified the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on May 5, 2009, and reported that McTear was waiting inside her apartment when she arrived home. He is alleged to have attacked her, thrown the baby on concrete and fled the apartment with the infant.

The baby’s body was found on the side of I-275 less than two hours after the report was filed. McTear was arrested later that day. He was taken into custody after he was found hiding behind an apartment in Robles Pond Public Housing Complex.

The Defense argues that McTear is not guilty of the crime. A new trial date has not been set.

A federal jury found a Hillsborough County man guilty of conspiring to possess and distribute cocaine. He is facing a maximum of 30 years in prison.

Antonious Russel Ford, 28, of Odessa, was arrested on May 7, 2013, and indicted on May 13, 2013. His trial concluded on August 21^st. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Ford bought hundreds of grams of cocaine and crack cocaine from a supplier in Town ‘N’ Country. He then resold the drugs in Spring Hill and other locations, officials said.

During the investigation, numerous telephone conversations between Ford and the supplier were intercepted by law enforcement. Federal agents executed a warrant on April 12, at two Town ‘N’ Country businesses and seized approximately 255 grams of cocaine as well as several thousand dollars in cash.

A sentencing date for Ford has not been set.

RICHARD McTEAR, JR.
…Charged with first-degree murder

EMMANUEL WESLEY MURRAY, JR.
… Thrown from the window of a car on I-275 in May 2009

On Tuesday morning, a Hillsborough County judge declared a mistrial in a death penalty murder case. The mistrial came about after a witness made comments that had previously agreed that would be inadmissible.
A 16-panel jury was selected last Friday in the first-degree murder trial of Richard Anthony McTear, Jr. McTear, 25, is accused of causing the death of 3-month-old Emmanuel Wesley Murray, Jr., on May 5, 2009.
Hillsborough County Judge William Fuente said on Tuesday, “The jurors heard testimony they should not have heard under any circumstances. In this court’s opinion, a mistrial is necessary. … I do this with extreme reluctance.”
Ms. Jasmine Bidwell, 22, was the State’s star witness in the case. She took the stand Monday and during questioning by the prosecutor’s office, recounted incidents leading up to her son’s murder. She testified about telephone calls she had allegedly received from McTear.
At one point, Ms. Bidwell said, McTear told her he was “going to come over and shoot my baby in the face and p— on him and he was going to kill both of us.”
Hillsborough County Assistant Public Defender Michael Peacock then called for a mistrial. He contended that her statement had been ruled inadmissible.
The Defense argues that McTear is not guilty of the crime.
Ms. Bidwell notified the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on May 5, 2009, that McTear was waiting inside her apartment. He is alleged to have attacked her, thrown the baby on concrete and fled the apartment with the infant.
The baby’s body was found on the side of I-275 less than two hours after the report was filed. McTear was arrested later that day. He was taken into custody after he was found hiding behind an apartment in Robles Pond Public Housing Complex.
A new trial date has not been set.

BY GWEN HAYES

Sentinel Editor

Teachers in Hillsborough County officially returned to their classrooms on Monday, August 12, 2013. However, many of them have been in the classroom all summer – taking additional classes, getting recertified, or mentoring other students. They will open their doors to students on Tuesday, August 20, 2013. Among the 15,000 teachers who went back to work on August 12, 2013, were 800 newly hired teachers.

Many new teachers to Hillsborough County and East Tampa were treated to a get acquainted breakfast at Middleton High School on Thursday morning.  Mrs. Evangeline Best coordinated the event.

According to the School District, an estimated 199,800 students will be starting school this fall.

Debra Dawkins Underwood, will be returning to classes at Nathan B. Young Middle Magnet Creative Science School.

“Our principal, APs and teachers have spent a lot of time on making the school appealing to the students. When the students get on the school grounds, the landscaping and scenery around them will make them want to be in school, want to work hard for better grades and that’s what we’re expecting,” she said in her own excitement.

Because of the resources available to the school, she said, “we have a really smart group of students and that can be attributed to our Lead Teacher, Ms. Jennifer Butler.” Ms. Nadine Johnson is the principal at Young.

As the parent of a 4-year-old son, Mrs. Underwood said she’s also excited about her son “transitioning into the 4-year-old age group. He has been tutored throughout the summer to get him prepared for the next age group. I know he’s ready.”  Because of his birthday, little Antwaun, III is being prepared to be ready for the next age group.

Like most of the instructors, Mrs. Tameca Johnson (pictured above) is ready to get back into the classroom.

“I’m ready to get started!  My students can fully expect another year of getting nothing short of my very best.  I have a lot of ground to cover with them in the area of Journalism; such as, building confidence and a passion for writing, developing their interviewing and public speaking skills, while helping them also develop a strong knowledge base of current events.

“But, I am not alone in this effort to help bring out the best in our children.  I am just one in a group of extremely committed and passionate teachers at Howard W. Blake High School who are experts in their craft.  They are teachers who do not take lightly being a positive influence for our students and making a lifelong difference in their lives.”

Mrs. Johnson is also a parent who is hopeful that her children will receive the same education from passionate teacher that she is sharing.

“I am a mother of three.  My oldest is on this same mission.  She is a former science teacher and now a first year Assistant Principal at an elementary school in Jacksonville.  My youngest two are public school students; and the traits I mentioned are those I look for in their teachers as well.”

A new teacher to the District is Ms. Maressa Hawkins. She will be working with 4th grade students at Oak Park Elementary school, where her brother, Pastor Antonio Hawkins has also taught.

A recent graduate (December 2012) of the University of South Florida, Ms. Hawkins, the mother of 2 boys, said she is excited about starting the school year, a new adventure for her. “It’s my first year and I don’t know what to expect, but I know God will guide me,” she said. “I grew up in the inner city (attended Edison and graduated from Middleton) and I feel as though I can connect to the kids at Oak Park. It’s my way of giving back to this community.” She did her final internship at Edison Elementary.

Teaching reading and writing to the 4th graders, Ms. Hawkins is also pleased that she will have her 8 and 5-year-olds at the same school with her. She gets to another level of excitement when she talks about some of the other new teachers who she went to school with at USF, and they, too, are on the staff at Oak Park. “It feels good to be with people you already know and have studied with.”

Theron James, Jr.  is so proud that he will be entering high school. “I’m expecting to learn more and better things and I know I’ll be learning tougher things.” The 9th grader who will be attending King High School has not decided what he’d like to become, but he has thought about becoming a member of the band.

His sister, Sierra James, will be entering the 10th grade at King High. Studying JROTC with the hopes of entering the Navy after graduation, she said she’s “expecting more challenges, to do better on my grades; I’d like to get straight ‘As’,” she said. She involved in the Unarmed Basic Team.

Theron and Sierra are the children of Theron, Sr. and Annette Daniels James. Mrs. James, who recently earned an AA degree from Hillsborough Community College, and works with the Hillsborough County School District, said she’s happy that the kids will be getting back in school. My light bill and food bills will be going down,” she said with a chuckle.

“I’m pleased with how they used their summer, however. It was very positive. Sierra is involved with Upward Bound and Theron was involved with a reading program, in addition to the reading they do at home.

“Also I’m still in school so it will be a very busy school year for all of us.” She’s working toward a degree in education.

Mrs. James had a bit of advice to offer to parents. “Please pay attention to the CORE program. They are harder for some students, but it’s what they’ll need for the standardized tests. Also, those students who have not passed FCAT still have to do that.”

Funerals have been planned for 2 of Tampa’s active community persons.

Funeral services for Herbert “Herb” David Carrington, Jr. will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2013, 11 a. m. at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church. (See Funeral Notice for additional information) He passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2013.

Funeral services for Mrs. Florence Carmen Lewis Blair will be held on Friday, August 23, 2013, 11 a. m. at Allen Temple AME Church. (See Funeral Notice for additional information)

Both were Tampa natives, graduates of Florida A&M University and had long careers with the Hillsborough County School District.

In addition to their professional careers, both residents were actively involved in their respective churches – Mr. Carrington at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church and Mrs. Blair at Allen Temple AME Church.

Mr. Carrington held many other impacting professional positions, but returned to education. He was the recipient of the 2001 National Teacher of the Year award. He was recognized by the president of FAMU earlier this year for establishing a $100,000 academic scholarship fund. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be sent to the Herbert Carrington Scholarship Fund, in care of Knights of Peter Claver Council 379, P. O. Box 6404, Brandon, FL 33508. He was advisor to many boards and organizations.

Mrs. Blair was one of the first African-Americans to graduate from the University of Tampa with a M.Ed. degree in Special Learning Disabilities, and the first African-American Special Education teacher in the county.

She held presidential positions for her sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho and National Council of Negro Women, and was active in Las Damas Social Club.