Deputy Zachary Wester is a bad man who ruined innocent lives in Jackson County Florida. Last week, Wester, 26, was arrested by FDLE agents after an 11-month-long investigation into the drug-planting allegations, first brought to light by the Tallahassee Democrat. He was taken to the Wakulla County Jail and later bonded out after a judge set bail at $169,500. Wester, who was fired last September, was arrested Wednesday and charged with 52 counts of racketeering, false imprisonment, official … [Read more...]
Abused Woman Takes Guns from Former Husband’s Home Faces Grand Theft Charges
After a recent divorce proceeding, Courtney Irby left the Polk County courthouse to go home. In the parking lot, her estranged husband allegedly rammed his car into her vehicle and ran her off the road. Joseph Irby, 35, was arrested on a domestic violence aggravated battery charge and released on $10,000 bail the next day. While Mr. Irby was in jail, Courtney broke into her former husband's home and took his assault rifle and a handgun. She brought the weapons to the Lakeland Police … [Read more...]
Pill Sharing is Illegal and Dangerous
It's a common misconception that prescription pill sharing is no big deal, especially taking a pill from the medicine cabinet of a family member. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are both federal and state laws that make using or sharing prescription drugs illegal. If you take a pill that was prescribed to someone else or give that pill to another person, not only is it against the law, it's extremely dangerous. According to the National Council on Patient … [Read more...]
Stand Your Ground Doesn’t Hold Water with Tampa Judge
A defendant has tried and failed to use a "stand your ground" defense in a 2018 road rage incident but failed. The judge didn't buy it. Teddy Smith says he was standing his ground when he stabbed another man to death during a road rage incident in Tampa on April 4, 2018. Unfortunately, for his defense team, a judge doesn't agree. On Thursday, a stand your ground hearing for Smith, once again put the spotlight on one of Florida’s most controversial and often difficult to interpret legal … [Read more...]
Can Heat of Passion Be Used as a Defense?
In a word, yes. Heat of passion is a recognized defense against charges of 1st and 2nd degree murder. Florida Statute 782.03 states, "Homicide is excusable when committed by accident and misfortune in doing any lawful act by lawful means with usual ordinary caution, and without any unlawful intent, or by accident and misfortune in the heat of passion, upon any sudden and sufficient provocation, or upon a sudden combat, without any dangerous weapon being used and not done in a cruel or unusual … [Read more...]
