Florida Sentinel Bulletin

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports that on March 27th between 8:30 a. m. and 9:30 a. m., Shedrick Partin, 23, hit his father, Samuel Partin, 61, in the head several times with a hammer and a door stop, causing head trauma, while he was lying in bed. Partin died from the injuries.

During the execution of a search warrant at the residence in the 1900 block of Erin Brooke Drive in Valrico, deputies said a pair of gray and black books and blue jean pants were found in Shedrick Partin’s bedroom with what appeared to be blood stains.

Detectives said Shedrick was seen leaving the home wearing the same clothing at 8:30 a. m. while his dad, Samuel Partin, was still alive. Shedrick was also last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with bright designs on the front. A second witness reported seeing Shedrick returning to the neighborhood wearing the same sweatshirt. That sweatshirt was later recovered by detectives at a home on Kelly Ridge Lane.

The hammer and a white door stop were also recovered inside the residence with what appeared to be blood transfer.

An autopsy on Samuel Partin determined the cause of death to be blunt impact to the head.

Lab results revealed that Shedrick’s black hooded sweat shirt matched his DNA profile. Also, blood recovered from the sweatshirt matched his father’s DNA profile.

On Monday, Shedrick was charged with second degree murder in the death of his father. He was already in jail on violation of probation charges.

A Hillsborough County judge Monday ruled that an elderly man must stand trial in a shooting death. He is accused of killing his neighbor during an argument.

The judge ruled the case must go to trial. Attorneys representing Trevor Dooley, 71, had attempted to use the Stand Your Ground law as a defense.

Last week, an attorney requested that charges be dismissed against his client in a manslaughter case. The man is using the “Stand Your Ground” law as his defense.

Dooley’s trial had begun in February, when his attorney attempted to use the 2005 law as a defense. At that time, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Ashley Moody ordered both the defense and the prosecutor to submit their arguments in writing.

Several witnesses have been listed to testify in the case. Dooley testified on his own behalf and the 10-year-old daughter of victim David James, who witnessed the shooting, also testified during that phase of the trial.

Now that the Stand Your Ground law has been eliminated, the trial will proceed as usual. The shooting took place in September 2010, at a park in Valrico.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Dooley and James became engaged in an argument at the Partridge Point Trail over a teenager riding his skateboard on the basketball court.

Dooley is alleged to have turned and displayed the firearm, at which time James allegedly lunged at him. The two men struggled over the gun and both fell to the ground. The gun fired one bullet striking James in the chest.

Dooley was arrested and charged with manslaughter. He has been free on bond since the shooting.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

After several months of searching, the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc., has chosen its next leader. In the final analysis, the board selected one of its own.

The announcement of Ernest Coney, Jr., as the President/CEO was made by Board Secretary Denese Meteye-James. Coney has been serving as interim CEO since Ms. Toni Watts resigned last year.

Coney began his tenure with the CDC of Tampa in 2006 as the Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the CDC, an organization his mother, Mrs. Chloe Coney created, he served as a Senior Actuarial Analyst, Director of Operations, and Finance Administrator for several national healthcare companies.

Coney said, “This is an exciting time, as we have reached 20 years of service to the community. Over these 20 years, we have transformed from a volunteer led organization into a $5 million asset organization.

“We have seen many changes to the community, including the development of Lake and N. 29th Street, helping more than 400 residents obtain employment, and sending more than 500 youth to colleges across America,” he said.

A Tampa native, Coney is an honor graduate of Jefferson High School. Following graduation in 1990, he earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Coney continued his education at the University of South Florida, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health Administration and he recently graduated from the University of Tampa with a Management Certificate for Non-Profits.

During his tenure as Interim CEO, Coney led the CDC in leveraging more than $19 million dollars in joint venture projects, including real estate and program service projects.

Coney is married to Mrs. Anika Coney and the father of one daughter, Shelby. He is also a minister at the Spirit of Truth Ministries, where his father, Ernest Coney, Sr., is the Senior Pastor.

On Saturday, May 19th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the community will have the opportunity to meet Coney at the Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center, 1907 E. Hillsborough Avenue.

Pastor Cynthia Forde hadn’t given any thought to using rap as a means of reaching people. However, one day the idea took root and resulted in her creating a rap Christian song.

“I was listening to my son-in-law, Lo-Boy and my nephew, Fatty Dukes rapping. I saw how they rapped and I told them that I could do that if they were to ask me a question. I said the Lord would give me the words and it would be a hit,” Pastor Forde said.

It didn’t happen right away, but Pastor Forde didn’t abandon the idea. Then one day her son-in-law said he would do it. On March 27th, the two got together and the song, “Thank You” was born.

“I got on the microphone and just started talking. It took 5 minutes to do.”

They finished the tape and released the song on itunes. Pastor Forde said it started at 370 on the hip-hop charts and went on to become #18 on the gospel charts. Now, the song is getting airtime all over the world.

Pastor Forde then completed the video and her fan base began to grow rapidly. She went to Los Angeles to film part of the video. Tampa was also one of the locations where the filming took place.

She credits Tampa native Jet Set Hudson with directing her to a man to complete the video.

“God took a song and changed things right before Easter. I’m just amazed. The song tells about who Jesus is and it gave a brand new meaning to his life. He (Jesus) took a whipping for us.”

Pastor Forde said she hopes to go on tour and attend the BET and Hip Hop Awards shows next year.

A Tampa native, Pastor Forde became a minister in 1995. Formerly of Zion Church of Holiness, she graduated from Plant High School. Pastor Forde is the daughter of the late Tommie and Mable Ball, and is a product of Central Park Village.

She is married to Elmore Forde, the mother of 4 children and the grandmother of 14.

Pastor Forde said her role is to let people see Jesus as a way of life. She describes herself as a walking, talking, breathing church. “My whole purpose is helping people and letting them know they can get a new life and only God can do it. There is nothing done God can’t fix and nothing He can’t change.”

City Editor Iris B. Holton can be contacted at (813) 248-1921; or emailed at iholton@flsentinel.com.

Jury selection began Monday in the second-degree murder trial of 53-year-old Kenneth Shivers.

Shivers was arrested September 4, 2010 for the stabbing death of 48-year-old Wanda Smith, a mother of three and a grandmother.

Authorities said Smith was stabbed in her home in the 3900 block of East Chelsea. Family members rushed her to the hospital, but she died a short time later.

Shivers, who was Smith’s boyfriend, was arrested as he was leaving her home.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Last year, as cases of tax fraud reached epidemic proportions in the Tampa Bay area, law enforcement formed a multi-agency task force. Through investigations and arrests, the task force continues to uncover information about bogus tax frauds and the manner in which they are committed.

On Tuesday, Ms. Arswaya Ralph, 33, of Riverview, surrendered to police.  She was charged with filing 65 false income tax claims and identity theft.

Ms. Ralph entered into a plea agreement with the U. S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida. She will appear before Judge Pizzo on May 21st to enter the plea.

Last year, officials learned that Ms. Ralph and others were using stolen identities to perpetuate the tax frauds. According to court documents, “Ralph and others were filing fraudulent federal income tax returns with stolen identities.

“…The investigation also revealed that Ralph attended and hosted “Drop Parties” during which she and others filed numerous fraudulent income tax returns at the same time.”

On June 2, 2011, during the execution of a search warrant, law enforcement recovered and confiscated numerous items. Some of the items confiscated included a 2010 Buick Lacrosee, $31,407 in cash, 42 preloaded debit cards, a pair of Gucci sunglasses with the case, two laptop computers, and approximately a dozen handwritten ledgers.

The ledgers contained the names, dates of birth, social security numbers and other personal identification. The ledgers also contained bank account and routing numbers, court documents showed.

Police also seized designer clothing, shoes, luggage, handbags, and a pink firearm. Authorities said Ms. Ralph had not reported any legitimate income during 2011.

After having heard her Miranda warnings, Ms. Ralph told law enforcement that she had been filing fraudulent tax returns since August or September 2010, and that she had purchased the vehicle with some of the funds.

According to court documents, the 65 false claims alone resulted in an intended loss of $467,781 from the Internal Revenue Service.

Ms. Ralph is facing a maximum of five years and a fine of $250,000 for making a false claim, and a maximum of 15 years in prison on the charge of identity theft.

On Saturday, May 19th, the College Hill/East Tampa area will be the beneficiaries of a clean-up effort. The effort will be coordinated through the city of Tampa’s Operation W.I.N. (Working In Neighborhoods) Program.

The clean-up will target alleys within the selected boundary of north to 28th Avenue; south to 22nd avenue; east to 28th Street, and west to 26th Street.

Everyone will meet at 7:30 a. m. on the northeast corner of 22nd Avenue and 28th Street, and move east to west, cleaning all of the alleys up to 28th Avenue.

If time permits, the boundaries will be expanded and continue in that general area.

Plans are to have 20 to 24 community services workers and about 8 city staff to assist with the clean-up.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On the morning of Wednesday, May 2nd, Michael Bennett was driving his wife, Mrs. Letara Thames Bennett, to her job in San Antonio, Florida. She had worked there for 14 years.

Afterwards, he was going on a job interview. However, the couple never made their destination because of a traffic accident that claimed both their lives. Now, their families are attempting to raise money for their funerals.

The couple married six years ago, and together became the parents of 13 children. Mrs. Bennett, 32, was the mother of 4, Michael Bennett, 36, was the father of 9, two of which were in his custody.

Mrs. Jermeka Lewis, sister of Mrs. Bennett said, “Michael was taking my sister to work and then he was supposed to have a job interview at my husband’s place of employment. When my husband told me he never showed up, I knew something was wrong. About 20 minutes later, my mother called and said my sister had been airlifted to the hospital.”

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the couple was traveling on Interstate 4 when an aggressive driver cut them off shortly after 6 a.m.

Michael Bennett was driving their 2004 Envoy in the outside lane and loss control of the vehicle as he took evasive action to avoid an accident. Investigating officers said Bennett over-corrected and struck the left side of a 2007 Hino, driven by Carlos Santos, 44, of Kissimmee.

After striking the vehicle, Bennett’s vehicle flipped over, ejecting both Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. After spinning across the highway, it came to rest on its roof. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennett died in the accident. Santos was not injured.

Mrs. Bennett was born in Newton, Mississippi, and moved to Dade City as a child. She graduated from Pasco High School and continued her education at Pasco Hernando Community College, where she was a Computer Technician major.

She was a member of New Bethel AME Church in Lacoochee, FL.

In addition to her four children, she leaves behind her mother, Mrs. Kathy Thames; her sister, Mrs. Lewis; and brother, Ahmad Thames, and other relatives and friends.

Her funeral services are planned for Saturday, May 12, at 2 p.m. Middleton Funeral Home of Dade City in is charge of handling arrangements.

Mrs. Lewis said the family is still struggling to raise the money for the funeral, but it is planned for Saturday. “We have looked everywhere and have not been able to find any life insurance policies. She didn’t have any insurance. We are washing cars and doing what we can. But, our God is an awesome God and He is going to work this out.”

Michael Bennett was a Tampa native and attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. He graduated from Jefferson High School. After he married, the couple moved to Lakeland to live.

Mrs. Karen Smith, Bennett’s cousin said, “We couldn’t have a double funeral because there is no life insurance. We are hoping to have his services on May 19th if we can raise the money.

“We are struggling like you wouldn’t believe trying to get the money for the funeral. People have been giving and we are thankful for the donations we have received, but it’s hard in this economy and we understand.”

In addition to his nine children, he leaves behind his mother, Mrs. Vera Barnes; 3 sisters, a brother, and other relatives and friends.

Aikens Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements for Michael Bennett.

FHP Seeks Information
The vehicle that initially cut off the Bennett vehicle, left without stopping.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the vehicle is a dark colored compact car. Anyone with any information about the vehicle is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (813) 631-4020. The accident remains under investigation.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

U. S. Rep. Kathy Castor has been a strong supporter of the University of South Florida’s Upward Bound for several years. Since 2007, during the Bush Administration placed the program in danger of ending, she has fought to save it.

U. S. Rep. Castor was recently instrumental in obtaining a federal grant of nearly $700,000 from the U. S. Department of Education for the program. “Upward Bound at USF provides an intensive college readiness session for high school students every year. The skills students learn by participating in Upward Bound help them understand higher education opportunities and become top-notch students.

“Without Upward Bound, too many of our students would fall through the cracks. This initiative is a lifesaver for students, helping them prepare for college and ultimately, their careers,” Rep. Castor said.
Dr. Sharman Pride-McRae Director of Project Upward Bound said the program was slated to end on May 31st because of funding issues. However, Dr. Pride-McRae and her staff applied for the federal grant in March, hoping to keep the program in existence.

“I was notified by Senator Bill Nelson that we have received the funding. It is a 5-year grant that will provide nearly $700,000 per year, nearly $3 million,” she said.

Dr. Pride-McRae further stated that with the funding, the program will be overhauled as well. She stated that research has shown that many students have not made career decisions by high school graduation.

The role of the revamped program is to institute a partnership between 9th and 10th grade students by exposing them to the various colleges at the university.

The 11th grade students will be involved in research projects and seniors will complete a hands-on internship.

Dr. Pride-McRae said the program currently has 130 students who will graduate. Next year, they will reduce the number of schools they serve to five.

“We are going to serve Tampa Bay Technical High School, King, Middleton, Jefferson and Leto, all Title I schools. We hope to pick up students from Blake, Hillsborough and Chamberlain with the Math and Science Programs.”

Dr. Pride-McRae said the program will begin student recruitment in the fall and will screen both the students and their parents about their career choices.

Thousands of students in the Tampa Bay area have benefited from the Upward Bound Program. The program was established on the campus of the University of South Florida in 1965.