BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

State Seeks Death Penalty In Police Officer Killing

The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty in the murder trial of a Tampa Police officer. This is the second death penalty case underway this week.

For more than 800 days, Humberto Delgado, Jr., 36, has been in custody at the Hillsborough County jail. On Monday, jury selection began in his first-degree murder trial. He is also charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, carrying a concealed firearm, and depriving a law enforcement officer of means of protection.

Delgado was arrested on August 19, 2009, after he allegedly shot and killed Tampa Police Corporal Mike Roberts. Cpl. Roberts reportedly observed Delgado pushing a shopping cart near the intersection of Artic Street and Nebraska Avenue.

Cpl. Roberts, 38, approached Delgado and a fight ensued. As the fight continued, Delgado ran across the street with Cpl. Roberts in pursuit.

Delgado allegedly pistol-whipped Cpl. Roberts and then he allegedly fired one shot, striking Cpl. Roberts on the right side of the chest. He died from the gunshot injury. Delgado surrendered after a brief search.

Trial Begins For Man Accused Of Killing His Daughter’s Mother

Vincent Brown

In November 2008, the family of a Tampa woman reported her missing after she failed to attend her only daughter’s 2nd birthday. Her body was later found dead in an abandoned house in Lakeland.

On Monday, the first-degree murder trial of the man who is allegedly responsible for her murder began. Vincent George Brown, 41, is facing first-degree murder and kidnapping charges. He entered a not guilty plea in the case. The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty.

Police said Ms. Jennifer Johnson, 31, was observed arguing with Brown, who was her ex-boyfriend and the father of her child, at Apollo South, 5110 N. 40th Street, on the night of November 14th. She later accompanied Brown to his parent’s home around 3 a.m., Saturday.

When Ms. Johnson did not arrive to plan her only child’s birthday party, her family became concerned and contacted police. Brown was identified as a person of interest in the case early during the investigation.

Ms. Johnson’s vehicle was found in a parking lot at 5215 E. 15th Avenue, the same weekend she was reported missing. Brown also turned himself in to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office the same weekend for violation of probation.

Ms. Johnson attempted to contact police by calling 9-1-1 from her cellular telephone. A Plant City 9-1-1 dispatcher answered the call for help.

In a barely audible 9-1-1 call, Ms. Johnson said, “I’m  in the trunk right now. … took my car. They got me in the car. I don’t know where I’m at. … I don’t know where I am. I’m in the trunk of my car. I’m in the car right now. I don’t see anything because I’m inside my trunk. They took my car and I’m inside of a trunk.”

Body Found In House
Four days after being reported missing, Ms. Johnson’s body was found in a vacant house in Lakeland. She died of asphyxia, police said.

After the murder, police said Brown recorded a new message on his cell phone and then attended a party driving Ms. Johnson’s car. The message said, “I did what I had to do, and it’s done. Y’all will probably never see me again. Just don’t forget about me.”  Ms. Rachel Johnson said Jennifer was the oldest of her mother’s three daughters. Of the trial she said, “I’m just glad that is finally happening and I hope he gets what he deserves. My sister is not here and we won’t see her anymore. It’s just not fair.”

Jury selection began on Monday. The trial is expected to take about 3 weeks.

Jury Selection Begins In Former Commissioner’s Corruption Trial

Kevin White

The jury selection in the federal corruption trial against a former County Commissioner began on Monday.  The trial is expected to last about two weeks.
Kevin White, 46, and George Hondrellis, 45, were arrested in June and charged with  conspiracy to commit bribery; bribery; conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud; mail fraud, wire fraud, and making false statements to law enforcement.

The charges stem from the time when Kevin White served on the Public Transportation Commission from 2006 to 2010, first while a member of the Tampa City Council, and later as a County Commissioner.

White was Chairman of the Public Transportation Commission, which oversees permits for vehicles such as taxis, limos, tow trucks, and ambulances. Hondrellis is the owner and operator of Tampa City Towing Company.

The indictment stated that as part of a conspiracy, Hondrellis opened a towing company and was placed on the list for county rotation. He allegedly conspired with others to get on the rotation list.

White is alleged to have used his influence and position to help facilitate getting the company on the rotational towing list. White allegedly received more than $10,000 in 2010, the indictment stated. White’s father, the late Gerald White, was implicated in the indictment, but died in May before an arrest was made.

The federal investigation began in September 2009, Hondrellis met with a Confidential Informant and allegedly “explained that the PTC was giving away towing certificates for money.”

Attorney O’Neill stated that there are more than 150 hours of taped evidence in the case. Some of that evidence includes meetings with “Darryl,” an undercover agent who met with White on more than one occasion. The affidavit alleges that money changed hands during those meetings.

Attorney Grady C. Irvin, Jr., is representing White. Hondrellis’ trial will not begin this week because he was court-ordered to undergo a mental evaluation.