Florida Sentinel Bulletin

On Saturday, Tampa Police got a tip that led to the arrest of a teen who had been sought in the June shooting of a 21-year year-old man. He was charged with first-degree murder.

According to police, the murder charge filed against David Irvin, 18, stems from an incident that took place on June 9^th, at the intersection of N. 13^th Street and E. Yukon. Police said Irvin and Edward Howard, Jr., became engaged in a physical altercation.

Irvin is alleged to have intentionally shot Howard. When police responded to the scene on June 9^th, they discovered Howard, who had just celebrated his birthday the day before, lying on the sidewalk. He died of his injuries.

After the shooting, Irvin fled the scene. The Tampa Police Department launched an extensive investigation into the murder. Information gathered led police to a residence in the 10900 block of Annette Street.

Police made contact with the residents of the home and Irvin surrendered to the officers without incident.

Shortly after the shooting, Howard’s mother, Ms. Dolly Foster, gave an interview to a Sentinel reporter.

During the interview, Ms. Foster said Howard, who was known as “Jizzel,” had plans of returning to school and opening his own music company. He had celebrated his 21^st birthday on June 8^th.

“He was so excited about his birthday coming up. … I didn’t see him on his birthday, but he called and said he was getting a ride home. He never got the chance.

“He spent the night with a friend and something happened over there.

“What we were told is that a gang of boys tried to beat him up, and he got the best of them. He had walked to a store, and was on his way back when he noticed two cars following him. Inside the car was one of the guys he had fought. At Yukon and 13^th, they caught up with him and the guy got out of the car and shot him. We don’t know the boy who shot him, and had never seen him before.”

A Tampa native, Howard was raised in the Sulphur Springs area.

Shortly after the shooting, Irvin’s mother, Ms. Artese Harden, was also interviewed by the Sentinel. During that interview she said, “I want the young lady who started all of this to go to jail. She lured my son away from his home, and got him involved in the confusion that was going on at her place.”

Ms. Harden also said at the time that the two young men had been “feuding” for the past three months. However, they had not had a physical confrontation until the day of the shooting.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office website, Irvin is being held without bond. In addition to the first-degree murder charge, Irvin was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

He was also charged with violation of probation on several unrelated charges.

Victim’s Mother Wants Female ‘Troublemaker’ Punished

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Ms. Dolly Foster said she holds no hard feelings against 18-year-old David Irvin. Irvin was arrested Saturday and charged with the murder of her son, Edward Howard, Jr.

EDWARD HOWARD, JR.

Ms. Foster said she is glad that he has been arrested, but she feels he is not totally responsible for her son’s death. She has heard the same rumors that that Ms. Artese Harden, mother of the suspect, David Irvin spoke about during an interview with the Sentinel when the shooting happened.

“While my baby was laying there covered up with a sheet, I kept hearing rumors of what happened.

“My son had spent the night with a friend and from what I’m told the friend and this girl got into it. She had used mace on him and was about to stab him with a knife when my son stopped her and took the friend to his grandmother’s house.

“This girl then called this boy who shot my son. She is a troublemaker. I was told that she woke him up. After they fought, he (Irvin) should have left well enough alone. Kids fight all the time, but he didn’t have to kill my baby. But, he is not totally to blame and this girl should be punished, too.”

“We don’t know what she told this boy. He didn’t have to take my son’s life. But, if he had just checked to find out what was going on, he wouldn’t have shot my son. She needs to go down. She is just as responsible as the boy who shot him. If it wasn’t for her, my baby would be alive today.”

“My son lost his life trying to save someone else. That is kind of messed up,” Ms. Foster said.

She further stated that the grandmother of the young man maced tried to tell the police what happened at the scene, but they didn’t listen to her.

Ms. Foster further stated that the young man who her son reportedly saved is having to deal with guilt. “He came up to me at the wake and he was crying. He feels so bad because my son is dead.”

Authorities report that four women have been connected to a theft ring that stretched from Miami to Tampa, and involved the stealing of jewelry from an NFL player, a vehicle from another man, and thousands of dollars from other men.

The four women, known as “Four Foxy Female Thieves,” have been identified as Subhanna Beyah, 25, Keisha Clark, 27, Johnnia Miller, 25, and Ryan Elkins, 23. Beyah was arrested Friday in New York, and Clark turned herself in Thursday to authorities in Miami. Authorities are still looking for Miller and Elkins.

New York Giants player, Shaun Rogers, told authorities he was at a nightclub in Miami Beach on March 25^th when he met the two women. According to Beyah’s arrest report, Rogers took the women to his hotel room, and put $450,000 worth of jewelry in the room safe before going to bed. When he awoke, the women and the valuables were gone.

Police said almost a week later, Beyah appeared in Tampa where Mark Testa, 37, met her and another woman at the Blue Martini Lounge at International Plaza. Testa told authorities he had been drinking and decided to call a cab, but the women told him they would drive him home.

Testa said he passed out after they took him home, and woke up to find his wallet, iPhone, Rolex, and Cadillac Escalade gone, which contained a .40 caliber handgun.

Authorities said the women took the vehicle on a joyride, stopping at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and tried to make a withdrawal at an ATM. They left the Cadillac in the parking lot of the casino.

The women later went on a shopping spree in Orlando, made a stop at a Walgreens and ended up at Wendy’s, where a credit card was declined. Beyah is named in a police report, but has not been charged in the Tampa case.

Similar cases have been reported in Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

For decades, East Tampa Community Leaders have fought hard to keep their streets clean. The task has been made more difficult with the increased number of vacant homes and renters moving into the area, and the fact that the area continues to be the favorite spot for illegal dumpers.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn reorganized two of the city’s divisions, and starting July 1^st, Code Enforcement and Clean City operations are being run out of one office.

Sal Ruggiero, Manager of the City of Tampa’s Neighborhood Enhancement Division, said on June 5^th, they got a great response from the East Tampa community on a big cleanup project.

“Pastor Daniel Dean, founder of the HOPE Center, sent over a group of volunteers, and people from the community got involved. Others just came out to voice their concerns, and we were able to take care of it right away.

“Mayor Buckhorn has offered to buy us new equipment, and hire more personnel.”

Ruggiero said their plan is to spend more time in East Tampa and Sulphur Springs.

“One area we really want to put more emphasis on is the illegal dumping problem in East Tampa. Along with the Solid Waste Department and Tampa Police, we will be focusing hard on that problem. We also need help from the community to help us identify the violators.

“People come into East Tampa and dump their waste, and we have to stop that. We will be very visible and active in the community.”

Code Enforcement District I Senior Inspector, Jerry Williams, said he has assigned three inspectors for the East Tampa community, and if any resident needs to contact an inspector, all they need to do is call their switchboard at (813) 274-5545, or (813) 426-6018.

East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership Chair, Essie Sims, said he thinks by consolidating the two departments, it will cut down on a lot of confusion.

“I think the merger is great, and now everything will come out of one office. There will be more attention to detail, and the merger will put more people on the street.”

Highland Pines Neighborhood Association leader, Betty Bell, said she thinks the merger just makes sense.

“I’ve always thought they performed the same tasks. It’s great to see the young people working, and with the two departments working together, it will help keep the neighborhood cleaner. I think the illegal dumping, however, will continue to be a problem, because they do it late at night when no one is around.”

Eastern Heights Neighborhood Association leader, Samuel Mobley, said he doesn’t feel the merger will make a difference.

“I really don’t expect to see a big difference, because neither department was able to consistently keep the area clean.

“I’d like to see more inspectors out checking the vacant houses and overgrown lots. I’d also like to see them respond to complaints from residents in a more timely manner.

“I would like to see things get better, and I believe they will. In Eastern Heights, it always seems the attention is given to other areas first and we either have to do the job ourselves, or just let it stay the way it is. We want the community to look good, and we will need the help of both agencies to get that done.”

Rainbow Heights Neighborhood Association leader, Ms. Frankye Jones, said illegal dumping, and abandoned homes with overgrown lots are the biggest concern in her community.

“I’m happy to see the two groups combine, because the process before in getting something done took too long. The property owners would take their time cleaning up the properties, but now I think things will move along a lot faster.

“We have a lot of things in Rainbow Heights that need the attention of city officials, and I’ve prepared a list of the critical areas that need the most attention.”

U. S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) announced a $1 million grant for the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope. The grant will fund the Academy’s NOW (No Offender Without a Second Chance) initiative that offers support services, training and skills development to help participants ages 16-24 obtain employment.

“Helping all Tampa Bay neighbors obtain gainful employment will only improve our local economy and reduce the type of recidivism associated with unemployment among juveniles with a record,” Rep. Castor said.

The Tampa Bay Academy of Hope is the only organization in Florida to receive one of the 28 grants awarded throughout the country, and received the highest amount allotted for each grant. The Academy is located at 4319 E. Seventh Ave. in Tampa.

The Tampa Bay Academy of Hope’s NOW program provides an array of services for an area of selected communities in Hillsborough County where the crime index rate as high as 12,018 is three times the state’s index rate, and where nearly 2,700 ex-offenders are released annually – the highest in the state.

The recidivism rate in the area is as high as 39 percent, which is higher than the state average of 30 percent and Tampa’s 26 percent. The Academy’s NOW program provides education and vocational training to prepare participants for entry and advancement in jobs within high-demand industries, including construction, information and technology, health services, and truck driving.

Through long-term employment outcomes, the NOW program aims to significantly reduce recidivism for the communities it serves.

The grant comes from the U. S. Department of Labor’s “Face Forward,” designed to give youth a second chance at employment success by offering the services they need to overcome the stigma of a juvenile record.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Thursday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers donated $15,000 to an East Tampa Little League Football Team. All of the team’s equipment was destroyed by fire earlier this month.

The presentation of the check took place at 3 p.m., at the team’s home field located at 4509 E. Regnas Avenue. Beginning in May, several acts of vandalism and theft have taken place at the storage unit of the Tampa Bay Lions Little League Football Team.

Tampa Bay Bucs and the cheerleaders visited the field and led the Lions through football and cheer drills.

In a written statement, the Bucs said, “On June 8, it was discovered that the Lions’ storage unit had been robbed once more, and on June 12, arsonists set fire to the area, destroying any contents remaining in storage.

“Thursday’s donation will help the Lions recoup items lost from the recent acts of vandalism, including funding for: 125 new football jerseys, 100 shoulder pads and football pants, 75 helmets, a temporary storage unit, and a membership to USA Football’s Heads Up Football program.

“USA Football, the official youth football development partner of the Buccaneers and the NFL, recently launched Heads Up Football, a player safety initiative that promotes concussion awareness, coaching education, proper equipment fitting, and a set of recommended standards for parents, coaches and leagues.”

The series of crimes culminated on June 8^th when James Daniels, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Lions Youth Football Team, and Ms. Cookie Dorsey, President of the organization, said unidentified suspects had broken into the storage room and vandalized the building the Saturday before the fire. The following Wednesday, someone set the storage structure on fire, destroying everything inside.

The Tampa Police Department is currently investigating the burglaries and arson that has taken place at the facility.

Daniels said, “They went back in midday and were brazen enough to set the place on fire. We don’t know who is doing this, but it’s not about us. It’s about our children and we are just trying to save them from the streets.”

After the story was reported in the media, Daniels said the telephone began ringing and the donations began to come in.

In addition to the donation from the Tampa Bay Bucs, Daniels said the Tampa Bay Rays donated $2,500.

“Everything the devil took from us, we’re getting it back. The devil is a liar. Even after having our equipment stolen and the building burned, our JV and Pee Wee teams brought back first place trophies when they played in Haynes City. Our Varsity team brought back a second place trophy. So we are still winners,” Daniels said.

He further stated that the donations the team has received will replace the equipment so the youth can continue to play. However, he said the building itself remains an uncertainty.

“We are going to use the money we have received to do as much as we can. We will still do fundraisers to replace everything we don’t have.”

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports that at 3 p. m. Saturday, Tampa Police received a 9-1-1 call from a man who said someone was following him. The caller then said he was in the area of 50^th Street and Columbus Drive after leaving a couple of convenience stores, and was getting on the interstate traveling toward Orlando. The caller was out of TPD’s jurisdiction and the call was transferred to the Florida Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Office.

While on the phone with the caller, he stated the vehicle following him had pulled up next to him and someone displayed what appeared to be a gun. He said he had done nothing to cause someone to follow him.

The caller, later identified as Fred William Turner, Jr., 47, stayed on the phone with 9-1-1 operators and the dispatchers reported hearing several shots. According to a witness, Turner pulled off the roadway and the suspect vehicle fled the area.

Authorities said it is unknown what occurred to cause the shooting. Turner was pronounced dead at the scene.

The only description of the suspect vehicle is that of a gray newer model Taurus with tinted windows. It is unknown how many people were inside the suspect vehicle.

The eastbound lanes were closed near I-75 at about 3:30 p. m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The pursuit and shooting spanned the jurisdictions of the Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Police, and the Florida Highway Patrol.

Details were scarce, so law enforcement urged anyone who might have witnessed the chase and shooting, or any related event preceding the incident, to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor 

On Tuesday, the U. S. Supreme Court issued its ruling on Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. In a 5-4 vote, Court Justices struck down the landmark Voting Rights Act. The enforcement of that act now rests in the hands of Congress to devise a new method of ensuring fair elections.

Some officials and attorneys shared their opinion on the ruling with Sentinel readers.

Attorney Arthenia Joyner (pictured) said, “I was saddened and disappointed, the ruling of the U. S. Supreme Court tears the heart out of the Voting Rights Act passed in 1965. The Voting Rights Act prohibited some states and counties, who had a history of discrimination, from changing voting laws without the approval of the U. S. Department of Justice.

“This ruling will allow states to change voting laws in a manner that is detrimental to Blacks and Latinos unless the U. S. Congress immediately pass a law with a new formula for determining discrimination.”

Attorney Warren Dawson said, “It is a sad day in America that the Supreme Court of the United States voted by a 1 vote majority has wiped out an opportunity to make a democracy more meaningful by making sure that the right to vote is fully protected.

“As if that were not sad enough, it gets worse when you consider these laws were passed to protect the rights of Blacks and other minorities and you have the only Black justice on the Supreme Court of the U. S., i.e., Clarence Thomas, who cast the deciding 5^th vote in a 5-4 decision to take away protections intended for people who look like him.”

Mrs. Carolyn Collins, President of the Hillsborough County NAACP said, “One of Florida’s five pre-clearance counties – Hillsborough County has suffered a major defeat. With the loss of voters with potential damage with the invalidation of Section IV, we now suffer the loss of Section V.  This county lives daily with vestiges of restrictions on voter’s rights.

“The local NAACP accepts the challenge and we will enact an aggressive campaign under the leadership of the Political Action Chair Yvette Lewis and her committee.   This battle will start locally on the ground with all elected officials, move to the state legislators and subsequently move to the Congressional level to pursue the creation of a new formula for pre-clearance.

“During the National conference call Tuesday night, First Vice President Joseph W. J. Robinson asked if tracks would be designed to deal with this issue.  Board Chairperson Roslyn Brock and Rev. Charles White, NAACP Field Director answered emphatically, “yes.”

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, Craig Latimer said, “The Supreme Court’s decision really doesn’t affect us that much because the preclearance pertained to language for Hispanics when changing polling locations.

“It hasn’t been a burden because we are still held to community standards and we will still be held to community standards.”

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Ruben Perry has no recollections of what happened to him that Saturday night. All he knows is what he was told when he woke up in a local hospital.

What Perry does know is that he is grateful to the seven Tampa Police officers and members of the community who saved his life. Perry was involved in a traffic accident and apparently lost consciousness on impact.

Residents in the area of N. 22^nd Street and E. Cayuga who saw the accident immediately went to the vehicle and attempted to extract the unconscious driver. They quickly learned that he was trapped inside the car.

As Tampa Police officers responded to the scene, they attempted to remove Perry. but, an engine fire was thwarting their efforts. Four of the officers removed the small fire extinguishers from their cars as three others attempted to free Perry.

One after the other, they emptied the fire extinguishers, but could not extinguish the blaze. Then, neighbors began bringing their own fire extinguishers for the officers to use.

Finally, after about five minutes, the officers were able to free Perry. And, within seconds of freeing him, the 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that Perry describes as his “toy” burst into flames. He has owned the car for 8 years.

Perry was admitted to Tampa General Hospital, with non-life threatening injuries. He was released the next day, in time to spend Father’s Day with his family.

On Tuesday, he had the opportunity to meet the officers he credits with saving his life, Chief Jane Castor and several of the Majors.

“I’m thankful for the efforts of the officers and the community. All of the officers were young and just starting their careers. It just goes to show you never judge a book by its cover. These guys really put their lives on the line to save me. They jumped in and did what they had to do and saved me.

“I also want to thank the members of the community who helped. I was told that when they emptied the last fire extinguisher, they got me out, and the car burst into flames. Everything was right on time,” the road construction worker said.

After being released from the hospital, Perry retrieved the car from the location where it was towed. He said the passenger’s side of the car was pushed over to the driver’s side. They car was crushed around him. Perry said he feels his life was spared for a purpose.

A Tampa native, Perry attends New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and lists among his hobbies, “working on cars.”

Three members of one family have been arrested and charged with the death of the family matriarch. Police are seeking a fourth member of the family.

All of them are charged with aggravated manslaughter of the elderly after the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner ruled the death of Mrs. Mary Hildreth Winston, 65, was a homicide due to neglect.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Mrs. Winston suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and had been bedridden for the past three years. She lived at 11029 Airview Drive with her husband, Osmond Winston, 67, and two daughters, Belinda J. Winston, 39, and 43-year-old Hyacinth Winston.

The Sheriff’s website listed Winston as being employed at Rooms To Go, but did not list places of employment for either daughter.

Police said Mrs. Winston relied solely on her family to provide care for her. She died on October 25^th, and the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy the following day.

The autopsy report led to the criminal charges and arrests of the family members.

During the three years Mrs. Winston was ill, she developed bed sores which were not properly treated. The sores “became so advanced, insect activity became active on and inside the victim’s body,” police said.

Police also said one sore was so advanced it developed into a permanent wound that fully exposed the back of Mrs. Winston’s ribcage. The bandages that had been applied improperly had reportedly fused into the wound. Her legs were fused together, and the bed sheets were stuck to her back.

After receiving the toxicology and Medical Examiner’s report, Mrs. Winston’s death was ruled a homicide. Her husband and daughters lived in the home with her and were her care givers.

Police have also issued a warrant for her son, 46-year-old Osmond Ignatius Winston, who lived at a different address. Police said the son is being charged because he last saw his mother on October 21^st and took no action to obtain medical attention for her.

All three family members are being held at the Hillsborough County Jail without bond. Police believe the son is out of state. The investigation is continuing.