Local News Now

Zimmerman could face 25 to life if convicted of manslaughter in Sanford slaying of Trayvon Martin due to enhancers

Newspaper Section

NSBNEWS.net Investigative Reporting

Previous coverage click below:

Justice for Trayvon: A Search for AnswersTrayvon Martin

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- I'm no lawyer, but I have extensively covered Florida's criminal and civil courts in Daytona Beach and DeLand as a member of the working press since the mid-1990s, including the appeals and ultimate death sentence execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos and the civil trial won by Dale Earnhardt's widow in keeping his autopsy photos sealed from the public. With national media outlets predicting a manslaughter charge by the special prosecutor against George Zimmerman in the Sanford gunshot slaying of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, some experts have said he could get as little as five years if convicted. I disagree.

Florida statutes are clear on manslaughter. Because Trayvon was a minor, that's an enhancer that makes the charge "aggravated manslaughter." And because a firearm was used in the killing, Florida's 10-20-life statute must be applied.

Florida and the nation await word on special prosecutor's decision on George Zimmerman

Newspaper Section

NSBNEWS.net Investigative Reporting

Previous coverage click below:

Justice for Trayvon: A Search for AnswersTrayvon Martin

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Florida and the nation are waiting on the 6 p.m. press conference by special prosecutor Angela Corey on whether she will file criminal charges against George Zimmerman in the Feb. 26 gunshot slaying of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. NSBNews.net will have local reaction from citizens, legal experts and the attorney for Trayvon's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin.

NSBNews.net is likely the smallest media outlet to interview the grieving parents in person (the video/story package can be found here on our home page). NSBNews.net is rounding out its multi-media coverage of the weekend college student march from Daytona Beach to Sanford as well as sidebar stories on a Sanford police car sprayed with gunfire earlier this week across the street from the gated community where Trayvon lost his life and mini profiles on Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and retired Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning from an earlier rally in Miami.

Making the Grade: Gov. Scott appoints special investigator for Trayvon Martin

Grade: A

Gov. Rick Scott appointed Jacksonville area State Attorney Angela Corey as special prosecutor to head the state's investigation into the Feb. 26 shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

The governor also announced that Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll will oversee a task force to study the merits of the "Stand Your Ground" law, which Sanford police cited as the reason George Zimmerman wasn't charged in the killing of the 17-year-old Miami boy.

Media and race baiting deplorable

Grade: F

Is the Easter Bunny a rabbit or a hare? Capt. Budd Neviaser Sat, 04/07/2012 - 23:40

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Like has happened for centuries are again on the minds of many adults who ponder the age old question: “Is the Easter Bunny a rabbit or a hare?” Spring has arrived and Easter is right around the corner, which also means the Easter Bunny is on the minds of many children.

Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach presents 'On Golden Pond'

Little Theatre of New Smyrna BeachThe Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach will present "On Golden Pond" a drama by Ernest Thompson, beginning April 13.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- An American classic of the stage and screen, "On Golden Pond" won a Tony award for Best Revival of a Play in 2005.  Now you can see a local production here at the Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach.

Ethel and Norman Thayer are once again spending the summer in their country home in Maine on a lake called Golden Pond. It is Norman’s 80th birthday and they are visited by their estranged daughter Chelsea with her fiancé and his young son.

Ormond Beach cops: Man's body with 'obvious signs of trauma' found outside Buena Vista Avenue home

ORMOND BEACH -- The body of a man with "obvious signs of trauma" was found early this morning outside a residence at 788 Buena Vista Ave. and is being treated as a suspicious death, Ormond Beach police said.

Here is a synopsis of what led homicide investigators to the home at 12:40 a.m. as described by Ormond Beach police spokesman Lt. Kenny Hayes at 4:45 on this Friday morning: "Ormond Beach Police were dispatched to this location after a 9-1-1 call was placed by a female resident reporting a suspicious person in her yard. Two Ormond Beach police officers arrived and began checking the area."

Hayes continued, "They quickly discovered an unresponsive man lying in the side yard of the home. He was deceased and had obvious signs of trauma to his body. Investigators have determined that the man lived in an upstairs back apartment at the home. Family members are being notified and the victim’s identity will likely be released later this morning."

Stetson University to hold panel discussion Tuesday at DeLand campus on slaying of Trayvon Martin

City

NSBNEWS.net Investigative Reporting

Previous coverage click below:

Justice for Trayvon: A Search for AnswersTrayvon Martin

DELAND -- Having already held a student rally in support of justice for Trayvon Martin, Stetson University will again be the setting for more dialogue.

Stetson University’s Diversity Council will host a panel discussion to address the Feb. 26 shooting death in Sanford of the 17-year-old Miami teen and the implications this incident might have on society's understanding of what has been called a post-racial, or a color-blind America.

This panel discussion, which is open to the public, will be held on 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Rinker Auditorium, inside the Lynn Business Center, 345 N. Woodland Blvd.

Trayvon Martin walk and rally to be held in New Smyrna Beach

Newspaper Section

NSBNEWS.net Investigative Reporting

Previous coverage click below:

Justice for Trayvon: A Search for AnswersTrayvon Martin

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A "Trayvon Martin Walk and Rally" will be held 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 28, sponsored by the Concerned Citizens of the Black African American Community and Concerned Organized Men in Action.

It will require a rolling road block by the police department along Julia, Washington, Sheldon and Charlovix Streets, and U.S. 1.

100-acre-plus brush fire west of New Smyrna Beach destroys mobile home; evacuations ordered

Newspaper Section

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Firefighters are battling a 100-plus-acre wildfire off Ranchette Road, which is south of State Road 44 and west of New Smyrna Beach, that has already destroyed a mobile home with evacuations ordered for other nerarby residences, Volusia County officials said just after 5 this afternoon.

The fire was reported at 1:42 p.m. with evacuations ordered on Shadow Walk Lane and Oak Rim Lane. One mobile home on Oak Rim Lane has been destroyed.

"According to fire officials, the fast-moving fire is uncontained," said Pat Kuehn, a spokeswoman for Volusia County. She saidVolusia County Fire Services is the lead fire agency. Also on scene are the Florida Forest Service, the Firewalkers Team and firefighters from New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange, Deltona, DeLand and Daytona Beach.