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Mayor Deegan, JCAC address viral videos of JSO punching fans at Georgia-Florida game
Read full article: Mayor Deegan, JCAC address viral videos of JSO punching fans at Georgia-Florida gameA video posted by Barstool Sports on X went viral after it showed JSO officers punching spectators at the Georgia-Florida football game.
New videos show different angles of JSO officers punching Georgia-Florida game attendees
Read full article: New videos show different angles of JSO officers punching Georgia-Florida game attendeesA video posted by Barstool Sports on X went viral after it showed JSO officers punching spectators at the Georgia-Florida football game.
‘Still haven’t gotten over the hurt’: Release of Dollar General shooter’s manifesto intensifies unhealed community wound
Read full article: ‘Still haven’t gotten over the hurt’: Release of Dollar General shooter’s manifesto intensifies unhealed community woundThe hate-filled manifesto from the Dollar General shooter has ignited mixed emotions from the community that has not healed from the tragedy.
‘We’re here’: Pro basketball team Jacksonville 95ers announce new home, partnership with Jacksonville University
Read full article: ‘We’re here’: Pro basketball team Jacksonville 95ers announce new home, partnership with Jacksonville UniversityJacksonville’s newest professional basketball team, the Jacksonville 95ers, announced its new home and partnership with Jacksonville University.
Attorney for family of Dollar General shooting victim says community has failed to follow through on promises
Read full article: Attorney for family of Dollar General shooting victim says community has failed to follow through on promisesIt’s been three months since three people were killed in a racially-motivated shooting at a New Town Dollar General.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars player taken into custody following death of mother in Illinois: report
Read full article: Former Jacksonville Jaguars player taken into custody following death of mother in Illinois: reportFormer Jacksonville Jaguars player Sergio Brown has been taken into custody as authorities investigate the death of his mother who was found dead last month near her suburban Chicago home, CNN reported on Wednesday.
‘We are grateful’: Family of Iyana Sawyer expresses gratitude after ‘predator’ found guilty of her 2018 murder
Read full article: ‘We are grateful’: Family of Iyana Sawyer expresses gratitude after ‘predator’ found guilty of her 2018 murderA jury found Johnathan Quiles guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his pregnant 16-year-old niece Iyana Sawyer following about an hour after deliberations on Thursday evening.
Actor Bijou Phillips files for divorce from Danny Masterson after rape convictions
Read full article: Actor Bijou Phillips files for divorce from Danny Masterson after rape convictionsActor Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce from Danny Masterson, days after the former “That ’70s Show” star was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two rape convictions.
Charges dropped for Jacksonville activist after arrest at city council meeting
Read full article: Charges dropped for Jacksonville activist after arrest at city council meetingFour months after the President of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville was arrested and charged with trespassing and resisting arrest after a city council meeting in December, it was announced Monday that the charges were dropped.
Well-known Jacksonville attorney John Phillips announces he’s running for City Council District 7
Read full article: Well-known Jacksonville attorney John Phillips announces he’s running for City Council District 7Attorney, civil rights advocate and legal commentator, John Phillips, announced on social media Tuesday that he is running for Jacksonville City Council.
Jacksonville police charge man with murder in connection to death of Prince Holland
Read full article: Jacksonville police charge man with murder in connection to death of Prince HollandAn arrest has been made in connection to the killing of 13-year-old Prince Holland, who was fatally shot on the way home from football tryouts last month, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced Monday.
Family of 13-year-old killed in Jacksonville drive-by hires law firm to try to get answers
Read full article: Family of 13-year-old killed in Jacksonville drive-by hires law firm to try to get answersThe family of a teenage boy shot and killed in a drive-by shooting on the way from a football tryout has hired a law firm to try to get answers.
Mayor Lenny Curry and Attorney John Phillips respond to tweets about Kent Stermon, days before his death
Read full article: Mayor Lenny Curry and Attorney John Phillips respond to tweets about Kent Stermon, days before his deathA social media disagreement about Kent Stermon between Mayor Lenny Curry and local attorney John Phillips happened two days before Stermon's death. Now the News4JAX I-TEAM is hearing from both sides.
I-TEAM: High-profile political donor, who was found dead Thursday, had access card to JSO headquarters
Read full article: I-TEAM: High-profile political donor, who was found dead Thursday, had access card to JSO headquartersKent Stermon, who was not employed by the Sheriff’s Office, was given an access card to JSO headquarters for the past five years -- at the same time, he was donating thousands to GOP candidates, including former Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams.
Mother invites community to memorial service for 13-year-old killed in drive-by
Read full article: Mother invites community to memorial service for 13-year-old killed in drive-byPrince Holland was one of five people who were inside an SUV that was struck in a hail of gunfire, which took the 13-year-old boy’s life and injured two others.
Candlelight vigil honors Prince Holland, boy killed in drive-by
Read full article: Candlelight vigil honors Prince Holland, boy killed in drive-byPrince Holland was one of five people who were inside an SUV that was struck in a hail of gunfire, which took the 13-year-old boy’s life and injured two others.
Attorney: Driver shot 10 times shielding children from gunfire in drive-by that killed 13-year-old
Read full article: Attorney: Driver shot 10 times shielding children from gunfire in drive-by that killed 13-year-oldA 21-year-old driver who was critically injured in a drive-by shooting Saturday that left a 13-year-old dead was shot 10 times while trying to shield the four children in his SUV from gunfire, according to his attorney.
Legally blind Lake City man sues for wrongful arrest by Columbia County deputy and sergeant
Read full article: Legally blind Lake City man sues for wrongful arrest by Columbia County deputy and sergeantA Lake City man who is legally blind, is suing the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, the City of Lake City and Columbia County. The lawsuit stems from the man's arrest on October 31 while he was walking home from jury duty.
Residents of Mandarin apartment complex receive new notice saying homes will not be inspected by JSO
Read full article: Residents of Mandarin apartment complex receive new notice saying homes will not be inspected by JSOPeople living at a Mandarin apartment complex received a new notice saying their homes will not be inspected by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office as part of a crime watch initiative.
Deaf couple receives marriage license after filing lawsuit saying they were unlawfully denied
Read full article: Deaf couple receives marriage license after filing lawsuit saying they were unlawfully deniedA lawsuit has been filed against the Circuit Court of Duval County and its clerk after a deaf couple say they were unlawfully denied a marriage license.
2 corrections officers assaulted handcuffed inmate, JSO says
Read full article: 2 corrections officers assaulted handcuffed inmate, JSO saysTwo Jacksonville corrections officers have been charged with battery after an internal investigation revealed they assaulted a handcuffed inmate at the Duval County jail, Undersheriff Nick Burgos announced Wednesday.
‘Justice is coming’: More tips come in surrounding death of teen killed hours after graduation
Read full article: ‘Justice is coming’: More tips come in surrounding death of teen killed hours after graduationThe family of a Raines High School football star, who was shot and killed shortly after graduating, believes a recently announced reward is making an impact.
‘Someone snatched his life’: Parents of teen killed hours after graduation announce increased reward
Read full article: ‘Someone snatched his life’: Parents of teen killed hours after graduation announce increased rewardThe parents of a Jacksonville teenager killed hours after his high school graduation this spring are asking the community for help finding his killer.
Man accused of attacking woman at Arlington gas station pleads not guilty to battery
Read full article: Man accused of attacking woman at Arlington gas station pleads not guilty to batteryA man facing a felony battery charge in connection to an attack on a woman inside an Arlington gas station entered a plea of not guilty when he appeared before a judge for an arraignment Monday, court filings show.
Attorney & community activist call for upgraded & hate crime charges in Arlington gas station attack
Read full article: Attorney & community activist call for upgraded & hate crime charges in Arlington gas station attackA local attorney and a community activist are calling for State Attorney Melissa Nelson to upgrade a misdemeanor battery charge to a felony and file a hate crime charge against a man accused of attacking a woman inside an Arlington gas station.
Josh Lambo sues Jaguars over hostile work environment created by Urban Meyer: report
Read full article: Josh Lambo sues Jaguars over hostile work environment created by Urban Meyer: reportFormer Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo is suing the team and seeking his full salary for last season, plus damages for emotional distress following his accusation of being kicked by former coach Urban Meyer, according to a report from the Tampa Bay Times.
Attorney for activist Ben Frazier says client’s trespassing charge was dropped
Read full article: Attorney for activist Ben Frazier says client’s trespassing charge was droppedAn email sent Monday night by attorney John Phillips, representing Jacksonville community activist Ben Frazier, states that a misdemeanor trespassing charge his client was facing has been dismissed.
Activist Ben Frazier plans to file federal civil rights lawsuit if trespassing charge isn’t dropped
Read full article: Activist Ben Frazier plans to file federal civil rights lawsuit if trespassing charge isn’t droppedCommunity activist Ben Frazier and attorney John Phillips said Monday that they will file a federal civil rights lawsuit if a misdemeanor trespassing charge against Frazier is not dropped.
'Tiger King' Joe Exotic moved to North Carolina facility
Read full article: 'Tiger King' Joe Exotic moved to North Carolina facilityA defense attorney says the former Oklahoma zookeeper known as “Tiger King” Joe Exotic has been transferred to a medical facility in North Carolina for federal inmates after a cancer diagnosis.
Jaguars could pay a big price to part ways with Meyer after video scandal, lawyer says
Read full article: Jaguars could pay a big price to part ways with Meyer after video scandal, lawyer saysExperts said Urban Meyer likely has a lot of leverage and it would take a lot for the team to decide to part ways with him.
Lawsuit against JSO & ex-officer moves to federal court
Read full article: Lawsuit against JSO & ex-officer moves to federal courtA wrongful death lawsuit brought against the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office by the family of a man who was struck and killed in 2017 by a now-former officer has been moved to federal court.
John Phillips is representing ‘Tiger King’ star Joe Exotic
Read full article: John Phillips is representing ‘Tiger King’ star Joe ExoticJohn M. Phillips, Amy Hanna and the Law Offices of Phillips & Hunt will lead criminal and civil litigation matters related to a new trial for Maldonado-Passage. Our goal is to set the record straight and get a new criminal trial for Mr. Maldonado-Passage. JOSEPH MALDONADO-PASSAGE RETAINS ATTORNEY JOHN PHILLIPS AND THE LAW OFFICES OF PHILLIPS & HUNT Jacksonville, Fla. – Joseph Maldonado-Passage, better known as ‘Joe Exotic,’ has retained John M. Phillips, Amy Hanna and the Law Offices of Phillips & Hunt to lead criminal and civil litigation matters related to a new trial. He takes exception to his portrayal in the show and has significant issues with how the filming hindered his criminal trial. Our goal is to set the record straight and get a new criminal trial for Mr. Maldonado-Passage.
Man bitten by K-9 during traffic stop plans to sue Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
Read full article: Man bitten by K-9 during traffic stop plans to sue Columbia County Sheriff’s OfficeCOLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man who was bitten by a K-9 during a traffic stop is planning to sue the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, alleging excessive force. According to the notice of intent, a deputy of the Sheriff’s Office deployed the K-9, which bit 23-year-old Martinezz Bowman. The video shows that Bowman first drives past a Columbia County deputy on U.S. 441 in a white Dodge Charger. Deputy: “Last warning!”Bowman: “Step out?”Deputy: “Sheriff’s Office K-9!”Bowman: “You want me to get out?”Deputy: “Sheriff’s Office K-9! News4Jax requested comment from the Sheriff’s Office.
Family of Carole Baskin’s missing husband runs commercial before her appearance on ‘Dancing with the Stars’
Read full article: Family of Carole Baskin’s missing husband runs commercial before her appearance on ‘Dancing with the Stars’The family of her former husband -- millionaire Don Lewis, who disappeared 23 years ago, appeared in the commercial. Baskin told Entertainment Tonight that she has nothing to say to the family about the ad. “It was,” Phillips told News4Jax. “It was a publicity stunt for Don Lewis. “Millions of people are talking about Don Lewis, and not, not how she (Baskin) did dancing with the stars,” Phillips said.
Mother of man beaten by St. Johns County deputy says there is a pattern of abuse at agency
Read full article: Mother of man beaten by St. Johns County deputy says there is a pattern of abuse at agencyST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The day after State Attorney’s announced they are pressing charges against a former St. Johns County deputy for beating an unarmed man last year during an arrest, the victim’s attorney and his mother are speaking out about what they are calling a pattern of police brutality in St. Johns County. Attorney John Phillips points to mug shots of white men in their 20s who he said were each badly beaten during their arrest by St. Johns County deputies. Cell phone video recorded by a bystander showed St. Johns County Deputy Anthony Deleo beating and tasing Christopher Butler last December during an arrest along County Road 210. Not only is Butler’s mother and lawyer asking people to come forward with more information about this case, Phillips said the beating is part of a dangerous pattern. St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Chuck Mulligan said once a lawsuit is filed, the agency will respond appropriately.
Ex-St. Johns County deputy charged after man beaten during traffic stop
Read full article: Ex-St. Johns County deputy charged after man beaten during traffic stopST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – An ex-deputy with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, who was seen on video beating a man during a December traffic stop, has been charged with aggravated battery, according to the State Attorney’s Office. DeLeo was fired from the Sheriff’s Office. In the video, Butler can be heard screaming and moaning when he was shocked with a Taser several times. Later in the video, DeLeo comes at him with a baton. In the report from the Sheriff’s Office, investigators said Butler was being uncooperative and was not responding to commands.
Prominent Jacksonville attorney buys Folio Weekly
Read full article: Prominent Jacksonville attorney buys Folio WeeklyJACKSONVILLE, Fla. A little over a month ago, Folio Weekly announced it was shutting down due to an economic freefall. A week ago, that changed when it announced it was making a comeback as Folio Weekly 2.0. On Monday, News4Jax learned that its Attorney John Phillips whos giving the magazine a second life. As first reported by News4Jaxs news partner the Jacksonville Daily Record, Phillips is hiring writers and staff, and he hopes to have a print issue out in July. Were hiring, looking for people to give the rich diversity of Folio Weekly and bring it back such that people can tell stories and celebrate the positive in Jacksonville, he told the Daily Record. pic.twitter.com/mzA61lYibM Folio Weekly (@folioweekly) June 9, 2020Phillips told the Record he hopes to create an archive of Folio stories that will be available online.
Athletes sign petition asking Congress to end qualified immunity for police
Read full article: Athletes sign petition asking Congress to end qualified immunity for policeSeveral Jacksonville Jaguars players are among the list of athletes who signed the petition, which asks Congress to pass a bill ending qualified immunity. Phillips said qualified immunity was originally intended to give police the benefit of the doubt. The problem is qualified immunity has become absolute immunity, meaning police officers cant get in trouble if the victim is dead and theres no other evidence," Phillips said. When you have body cameras that are turned on and available, cellphone camera with footage like weve seen on Mr. (George) Floyd, those are the ones that bust qualified immunity. Qualified immunity prevents offices from being sued in civil court unless they are fired from the police department.
Family believes race played a part in shooting death of West Nassau High football player
Read full article: Family believes race played a part in shooting death of West Nassau High football playerThree and a half months after a West Nassau High School football player was shot and killed, his family is still desperately seeking answers. John Phillips, the family’s attorney, said the Sheriff’s Office told him it’s waiting to get it right. The Sheriff’s Office never identified them, but the family and Phillips said the suspected shooter also went to West Nassau High. The family believes race played a part in the death of their son, who was biracial. One of the other teens called 911 as they drove Fort to West Nassau High -- about 8 minutes away -- to meet a rescue unit.
Jacksonville demonstrators bond out, share concerns about how they were treated by police
Read full article: Jacksonville demonstrators bond out, share concerns about how they were treated by policeMORE | I-TEAM: Bail doubling for some protesters arrested over the weekendTuesday afternoon, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams responded to the questions and concerns from the public, in a conversation with City Council members and reporters. However, as soon as the first block is thrown fire is lit it is no longer a peaceful protest. You cant go from breaking the law, back to peaceful protests breaking the law back up. We just sat down in peaceful protest, had our hands raised, had our bags open so they could see we werent carrying weapons, she told News4Jax. News4Jax has received similar complaints from some of the other protesters arrested in Jacksonville over the weekend, many just bonding out Tuesday morning.
St. Johns County deputy fired, accused of battery after beating motorist during traffic stop
Read full article: St. Johns County deputy fired, accused of battery after beating motorist during traffic stopST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office deputy was fired and accused with aggravated battery Thursday after he was seen on video beating an unarmed man during a December traffic stop. St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar on Thursday withdrew the commission of Deputy Anthony DeLeo, ending his employment with the Sheriff’s Office. Two other St. Johns County deputies who were involved in the incident — Joseph McGinnis and Patrick Ponticello — were placed on paid administrative leave after the video surfaced. Butler remains in St. Johns County jail accused of multiple charges including two out-of-county warrants, resisting arrest and driving under the influence. And that’s the problem, particularly with St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office that refuses body cams.
Lawyer: Traffic stop beating one of the worst cases of brutality I’ve ever seen
Read full article: Lawyer: Traffic stop beating one of the worst cases of brutality I’ve ever seenST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A Jacksonville attorney who is representing a man who was shocked and repeatedly beaten by St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office deputies said it’s one of the worse cases of police brutality he has seen locally. “It’s just so abusive and it just goes on for so long,” attorney John Phillips, who specializes in police brutality cases, told News4Jax on Wednesday. According to the arrest report written by deputies, Butler was not cooperating which led to him being shocked by an FHP trooper and then beaten and kicked by deputies. Christopher Butler, 30 (St. Johns County Sheriff's Office)“He was not high on PCP and any statement to that effect is going to result in defamation,” Phillips said. According to the arrest report, Deleo along with Joseph McGinnis and Patrick Ponticello, were the deputies involved in the Butler traffic stop.
Curfew lifted & alcohol sales resume at Jacksonville beaches
Read full article: Curfew lifted & alcohol sales resume at Jacksonville beachesMark, a beaches resident who's ridden out several hurricanes, pointed out around 9 a.m. that the storm's worst had yet to hit the area. We have noodles and beer," Jacksonville Beach resident Melissa Kennedy said. We're having a good time," Jacksonville Beach resident Jack Mackanac said. After warning three swimmers who came out of the ocean at Jacksonville Beach not to try a similar stunt again because the beaches are closed, Jacksonville Beach Ocean Capt. Another concern besides people being on the closed beaches had been the sand dunes.
Cleaning up before Dorian: The items you might not know could cost you
Read full article: Cleaning up before Dorian: The items you might not know could cost youJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - As Hurricane Dorian zeroes in on Florida, you want to prepare your house, including making sure you secure anything that could cause damage outside. It could be something as small as a loose brick on a driveway or something as big as a basketball net. "Heavy winds could easily pick that up and throw it through a window or even on top of a roof if we have a Category 2 or higher winds," Carlucci said. We have a shovel over here, the wind could easily pick that up along with the table, even the grill or the propane tank." So why is it important for people to take storm preps seriously and go around their house before a storm hits?
Texting behind the wheel could get you a $164 fine in Duval County
Read full article: Texting behind the wheel could get you a $164 fine in Duval CountyJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Florida's amended distracted driving law went into place Monday, and texting behind the wheel of a moving vehicle in Duval County could get you a ticket of more than $100 for the first offense. Officers statewide have the option to write tickets with fines or give warnings to people caught texting and driving until January 2020. After that, Duval County violators will be ticketed $114 for the first offense and up to $164 for any following offenses. Its why theyre happy texting and driving is now a primary offense. "This one will be for texting," said Officer Robert Ashmore, a Neptune Beach police officer, as he pulled over a woman in a white sedan on Atlantic Boulevard.
Man accused of running over Fernandina beach sunbather jailed
Read full article: Man accused of running over Fernandina beach sunbather jailedFERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – Hours after a woman sunbathing on a Nassau County beach was run over Tuesday afternoon, police arrested the man they believe was driving the Jeep that hit her and kept going. According to the Fernandina Beach Police Department, a 53-year-old Akron, Ohio, woman was run over by a silver Jeep Cherokee. Police said the driver of the Jeep took off despite being told by a witness that he had run over a sunbather. It was the second time a sunbather was run over by a vehicle in Nassau County. As proven by the attached warning, the City of Fernandina and Nassau County has done nothing despite repeated notice of a dangerous condition."