Florida Sentinel Bulletin

On Friday, at 11:30 a.m., individuals from throughout the state will gather at the George Edgecomb Courthouse Building in downtown Tampa. The purpose of the gathering is a rally in which several people will address the crowd prior to the Voting Rights Hearing.

The U. S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights hearing will begin at 1 p.m.

Several people are expected to speak pertaining to the recently changed voting laws and how they disenfranchise segments of the population.

U. S. Senator Dick Durbin, (D-IL), will lead the hearing.

OTG Sports 2012 NFL Draft clients don’t just standout, but “Own The Game” in the Battle of Florida. OTG Sports Management, led by Tampa native and former Jesuit football star, Chris Martin, has successfully landed the top talent in the Tampa Bay area for the second straight year.

Last week, OTG (On The GO) Sports had five of their clients from the Tampa/St. Petersburg area participate in the inaugural Battle of Florida College Football All-Star game, coached by Bobby Bowden and Howard Schnellenberger.

After showcasing themselves and their abilities with a dominant week of practice for the over 100 NFL executives and scouts on hand, OTG’s clients capped it off with a shining performance in the game. Their clients didn’t just participate in the game, they starred in it.

Joshua Bellamy (Louisville/Boca Ciega HS), Ryan Davis (Bethune-Cookman/Blake HS), Stephen Garcia (South Carolina/Jefferson HS), Ty Jones (Florida State/Middleton HS) and Daron Rose (North Alabama/Jefferson HS), all played major roles in the North squad’s 51-3 victory over the South.

Ryan Davis, a high-motor defensive end, started it off with a big sack in the first quarter, and running back, Ty Jones followed it up with several strong runs, two great catches, and a touchdown.

Offensive tackle Daron Rose provided excellent rush lanes and time in the pocket for the quarterbacks to find their receivers. Quarterback Stephen Garcia came out firing in the third quarter and delivered two beautiful strikes for touchdowns, including one 60-yard pass to his electrifying wide receiver and training partner, Josh Bellamy.

“I told our players during the course of the week that all-star games are not about blending in, but about standing out,” Martin said.  “I joked with them, saying that for the week OTG stands for “Own The Game,” which they clearly did, thereby increasing their draft stock and value in the eyes of NFL scouts.”

The recent stretch of success is no accident, it’s by design. While OTGSM’s recruiting efforts have widened the firm’s footprint nationally, it has been Martin’s focus and commitment to his hometown that has contributed to his success.

His firm also represents other players with Tampa ties – Jarred Fayson (WR Indianapolis Colts), Terrell McClain (DT Carolina Panthers, 65th overall pick in 2011), Eric Weems (WR/KR Atlanta Falcons, Pro Bowl Return Specialist) and Torrey Davis (DT Calgary Stampeders).

Additionally, OTGSM represents former NFL players and current college coaches Allen Suber (Bethune-Cookman College) and Deon Maddox (formerly Eastern Michigan). The Tampa area has produced a bevy of NFL talent over the years, including Martin himself who played with the Chicago Bears in 1996.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Friday, (today), Dontae Rashawn Morris will appear before a Hillsborough Circuit judge. The hearing will possibly determine which of the five murders trials will be first. Two of the trials will be death penalty cases.

Mark Cox, spokesman for the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said, “There is a hearing on Friday and Morris is on the docket. It is unknown which case the State will pursue first. The cases don’t necessarily have to be tried in the order that the murders occurred.”

Morris was released from prison on April 10, 2010. In less than three months after his release, police said he committed five murders.

The murder of 21-year-old Derek Anderson took place on May 18, 2010, at the Kenneth Court Apartment Complex. Police said the death occurred during an apparent attempted robbery. Morris was charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery with a firearm.

Thirteen days later, Rodney Jones, 41, was shot and killed during the early morning hours of May 31, 2010, during an attempted robbery. He was killed as he left the Cotton Club, 2405 W. Albany Street.

Morris was charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery in January 2011.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office investigated the shooting death of 25-year-old Harold Wright on June 8, 2010. Wright had been shot in the head and his body was discovered on the side of the road at 2003 51st Street, S., shortly after midnight.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office said their investigation revealed evidence that linked Morris to Wright’s murder. on June 8, 2010.  The cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.

The final murder charges stem from a traffic stop involving two Tampa Police officers. The result proved to be deadly.

According to police, at 2:15 a.m., on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, Tampa Police Officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab, both 31,  were on routine patrol in East Tampa. Officer Curtis observed a 1994 Red Toyota Camry that didn’t have the license plate visible. He turned his lights on behind the vehicle at N. 50th Street and E. Dr. M. L. King, Jr., Blvd. Officer Kocab, also 31, was his backup unit.

The female driver, later identified as Ms. Cortnee Brantley, stopped the car at N. 50th Street and 23rd Avenue. Morris was the passenger, police said.

A computer check revealed that an active warrant existed for Morris and attempted to make an arrest. Morris allegedly shot both officers at close range, and fled on foot. Ms. Brantley fled in the vehicle, police said.

The shooting was captured on the dash cam of the police cruiser. Officer Kocab was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Tampa General Hospital. Officer Curtis was placed on life support and pronounced dead at 8:30 a.m., that morning.

Morris surrendered on July 2nd, following an intensive nation-wide manhunt.

Cox stated that the State Attorney’s Office will pursue the death penalty for the deaths of the two officers. He stated that Florida law considers  the murder of a law enforcement officer in the performance of his death as an aggravating factor. He also said violence in th pass can also be used.

In addition to the five first-degree murder charges, Morris is facing charges ranging from being a felon in possession of a firearm to armed robbery.  He was also charged with attempting to escape while being transported in July 2010.

On January 18th at 7:52 p.m., law enforcement officials received a 9-1-1 call from the grandmother of a teenager who had been shot.

Ms. Cheryl Neal said three friends of her grandson, Demarcus Smart, 17, ran to her home and told her he had shot himself in the head.

Tampa Police reported that Smart had been in a vacant home with three friends playing with a gun. Smart was reportedly looking at the gun when he pulled the trigger and shot himself in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, but based on the evidence so far, the shooting appears to be accidental, and the gun was in Smart’s possession when it was fired.

Ms. Neal said Smart had been in her custody until 2009, after entering the foster care system in 2004.

“He was with me until 2009, when he went into foster care for 2 years, then went to live with his other grandmother, Angie Lee, in Clearwater. Demarcus was a good boy who really loved his mother. He always wanted to be with her, and was visiting her when this incident happened.”

Ms. Neal said Demarcus had told his mother he was going to the store when he left the house.

“We don’t know anything about the gun, and we don’t believe he accidentally shot himself,” said Ms. Neal. “I think there is more to it than what’s been told. I don’t know anything about the boys he was with.”

Ms Neal said Demarcus wasn’t attending school, but had enrolled to get his GED.

“Demarcus had a brother and two sisters, and really enjoyed playing video games, listening to music, and dancing. He was a typical teenager who was very respectful to his family, but also could be very stubborn.”

A service will be held at Bible Based Fellowship of Temple Terrace this Saturday. Other arrangements are still being worked out by The Carnegie-Dallas Funeral Home in Clearwater.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Friday, at 1 p.m., public testimony will take place at the George Edgecomb Courthouse for the first hearing to examine the impact of the proposed changes in state voting laws.

U. S. Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, will lead the hearings of the U. S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights.

In November, U. S. Senator Bill Nelson has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether new voting laws passed by Florida and more than a dozen other states this year are the result of a coordinated effort to suppress voter turnout among millions of seniors, young people and minorities in this year’s presidential election.

Senator Nelson asked the federal investigating body “to determine whether or not there was broad-based motivation to suppress the vote – and, if so, whether any laws were violated.”

In May, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 1355 into law. The bill places stringent requirements on individuals and third-party groups who attempt to register new voters.

Additionally, volunteers who register new voters must sign up with the state and submit the voter registration forms within 48 hours of obtaining the signatures. Those who do not comply face large fines or possibly prison for violating the rule. Volunteers are also required to sign an oath warning them of the consequences for violating the rules.

The bill also shortens the period of early voting days from 14 days to 8 days. The new law also prohibits voters who have moved from the county to change their information at the polls and vote. They must cast a provisional vote.

The League of Women Voters and Rock the Vote have challenged the new law in court. State Rep. Dennis Baxley, (R-Ocala), sponsored the bill.

Rep. Betty Reed said, “Past generations fought hard in order to ensure our right to vote. It’s important that our community show up in numbers in order to continue the fight.”

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

This week, members of the community will welcome Dr. Henry Lewis, III, president of Florida Memorial University to Tampa. During his visit, Dr. Lewis will share his vision for 2020.

Dr. Lewis said Tampa is one of the stops in his tour around the country. “We’re trying to make people aware that we are the only historically Black institution in South Florida.

“We are also the only HBCU (Historically Black College or University) with an Aviation Program. This year, we are offering an Air Traffic Controller Program. We offer five bachelor’s degrees in this program,” Dr. Lewis said.

He further stated that Florida Memorial University trains approximately 35% of all African American teachers and focuses on the areas of Aviation, Education, and Business.

Dr. Lewis said the 133-year-old university is ripe with history. Formerly located in Jacksonville, James Weldon Johnson wrote the “Life Every Voice and Sing,” as a poem, and his brother, John Rosamond Johnson, wrote the lyrics to the poem while on the faculty there. The song became the Black National Anthem.

He said the school was founded in 1879 in Live Oak as the Florida Baptist Institute. It moved to Jacksonville in 1882, and changed its name to Florida Normal and Industrial Institute. In 1918, the college moved to St. Augustine.

Dr. Lewis said in 1968 after someone poured acid into a St. Augustine swimming pool to keep Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from wading in it for the purpose of integration.

The school relocated to South Florida after whites threatened to burn it down during the period of civil unrest. However, Dr. Lewis said the school still owns the 300 acres of land and plant to establish a branch campus on the property.

Dr. Lewis said he is coming to Tampa to concentrate on some of the outstanding minority students who he would like, “To come to Miami to achieve their dreams of a college education.”

A native of Tallahassee, Dr. Lewis received his B. S. degree in Pharmacy from Florida A & M University. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from Mercer University, and completed his post Doctoral training at the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.

He became the 12th President of Florida Memorial University last year.

On Thursday, at 7 p.m., Dr. Bartholomew Banks, pastor of St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 2504 E. Chipco Street, and his congregation will host a “Forum with the President” in honor of Dr. Lewis.

On Friday, at noon, Dr. Lewis will be the guest of honor at a luncheon at the Hilton-Tampa Airport, Westshore.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man and charged him in connection with the beating death of an infant. The murder took place on Saturday at the child’s home.

According to police, on Thursday, Ms. Lukrisha Milliner, 25, left her infant son, Nasir E. Milliner, with her boyfriend, 24-year-old Derron Dennard Brown. The infant was in Brown’s custody from 8:25 a.m., to 9:37 a.m.

Derron Brown

Ms. Milliner told police that when she returned home, she notice her son appeared to be unresponsive. She contacted EMS and the child was transported to Florida Hospital, (formerly University Community Hospital), where he later died.

During the investigation, police interviewed Brown, who allegedly admitted that while he and the child were alone, he “knowingly and intentionally struck the child’s torso several times with his shoulder, forearm, head, and closed fist.”

During an autopsy performed by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday, it was determined that “the child died due to blunt trauma impact to the torso, with liver laceration,” police said.

Police arrested Brown on Friday and charged him with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. He is being held at the Hillsborough County Jail without bond.

Nasir would have celebrated his first birthday on January 29th.  Funeral services were incomplete as of press time. Gudes Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

On Monday, after the M. L. King Day Parade, a series of fights and disturbances broke out in East Tampa. Although Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was an advocate for non-violence, 11 teenagers were arrested for fighting. Crowds watching the fights swelled to nearly 200 people at times.

According to police, the fights began around 3:30 p.m., Monday in and around the Belmont Heights Estates. The crowds simply kept moving from one block to the next.
“As soon as the police were out of sight, fighting erupted again,” a spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department said.

Some of the youngsters were charged with an “affray.” An affray is a criminal offense generally defined as the fighting of two or more persons in a public place that disturbs others; a type of disorderly conduct.

Joshua R. Cobb

The eleven teenagers arrested were: Emanuel Watson (pictured above), 19, and 18-year-old Joshua R. Cobb were charged with an affray.

Police arrested, Anissia C. Davis, Tequila L. Owens, and Samuel L. Culver, all 17-year-olds. Davis was charged with an affray. Owens and Culver were charged with disorderly conduct.

Three 16-year-olds were also arrested: Julisa Duncan was charged with resisting arrest without violence and trespassing after warning. Cameshia King and Deshawn Singfield were charged with an affray.

Police also arrested three 15-year-old teenagers. Micheal Singleton was charged with trespassing after warning; Dontavious Throw was charged with an affray; and Kevondre R. Thomas was charged with resisting arrest without violence and violation of probation for the unlawful possession of a firearm.

At 6:12 a. m. Wednesday morning, Melvin James Rolfe, Jr., 39, was driving his usual route on his way to work at the Port of Manatee where he worked as a longshoreman.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Rolfe was driving south on U. S. Highway 41, he approached 34th Avenue South where a semi- tractor trailer was blocking three lanes waiting to turn onto U. S. 41.

Troopers said Rolfe applied brakes to avoid the tractor trailer, and swerved to avoid a collision. However, Rolfe’s vehicle struck the undercarriage of the trailer and became wedged underneath. Rolfe was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Rolfe’s stepdaughter, Kizzie Peoples, Rolfe was a 1990 graduate of Hillsborough High School where he played football. He also was a member of the Belmont Heights Little League team.

After graduation, Rolfe worked for Rooms To Go, before signing on as a longshoreman at the Port of Manatee.

In 2003, Rolfe married Cynthia Rolfe, and he has one biological child, Jasmine Rolfe, a grandson, Zevontae Lee, 4 stepchildren, and 7 siblings.

In March 2011, Rolfe’s father, Minister Melvin J. Rolfe, Sr., passed after a battle with cancer, and his mother, Mrs. Rose Rolfe, was still grieving over that loss.

“It’s been tough for the family, because we were still trying to deal with the loss of Melvin’s father,” said Ms. Peoples. Rolfe loved sports, especially football, and was known to participate in football pools at work. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his 3-week-old grandson.

Wilson’s Funeral Home is working with the family on final arrangements.

Anyone who wants to visit the family to express their condolences is asked to come by 2714 99th Avenue, or contact Kizzie Peoples at (813) 458-3593, or Nicole Flowers at (813) 230-3141.