Florida’s chief financial officer announced the launch of a study to see how gold and silver can be used as money in the state.

About a month after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Savannah Gold, his Bonefish Grill co-worker, Lee Rodarte was sentenced Thursday to 40 years in prison. AdRodarte kept his back turned to Gold’s family and wiped tears as he listened to Gold’s father talk about her lion’s heart. Her mother, Sharon Gold, said Gold spoke about the impact the number 21 has had on their family. She said 21 was the number Savannah wore in sports, 21 was tattooed on her arm and ’21 is the year her killer goes to prison. “To our family, extended family and community, our hearts have begun to heal because of your love and support,” Daniel Gold said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As his victim’s parents watched on a livestream feed, Lee Rodarte pleaded guilty Thursday, admitting that he killed his 21-year-old Bonefish Grill co-worker in 2017. Police later determined that she met with Rodarte the day before at the Bonefish Grill where the couple worked. AdThe trial judge first denied the petition, but Rodarte’s attorney appealed that ruling to the First District Court of Appeals. The case had been on hold since then, while the appeals court mulled over a ruling. The appeals court later sided with the initial judge’s ruling.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Jacksonville man charged with murder in the 2017 killing of his on-again, off-again girlfriend and co-worker now claims self-defense. Rodarte and Gold, who were dating at the time, both worked at the Bonefish Grill in Mandarin. Rodarte claims that during an argument, Gold was slapping him on his head. It says Gold continued slapping Rodarte on the head and that she grabbed Rodarte by the neck. According to the petition, "In pain and fearing imminent serious bodily harm, the defendant grabbed Ms. Gold's neck in an effort to break her grip."