INSIDER
Man sentenced to 55 years in prison for two separate Palm Coast murders
Read full article: Man sentenced to 55 years in prison for two separate Palm Coast murdersA 20-year-old man, Devandre Bernard Williams was sentenced to prison Wednesday, for his involvement in the murders of Noah Smith and Keymarion Hall.
Ginnie Springs temporarily closed as deputies investigate attempted murder
Read full article: Ginnie Springs temporarily closed as deputies investigate attempted murderThe Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office announced it is investigating an attempted murder at Ginnie Springs that happened Saturday night.
Teen conspired to kill father in 2022, then shot accomplice 3 days later: JSO
Read full article: Teen conspired to kill father in 2022, then shot accomplice 3 days later: JSOA 17-year-old is facing murder and conspiracy charges in connection with two killings in 2022, including the death of his father.
Estranged husband, wife appear side-by-side in court Wednesday in Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire plot
Read full article: Estranged husband, wife appear side-by-side in court Wednesday in Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire plotShanna Gardner and her estranged husband, Mario Fernandez, will be back inside a Duval County courtroom on Wednesday as they face charges in the murder-for-hire plot that investigators say left Gardner’s ex-husband, Jared Bridegan, dead.
Attorneys for estranged couple accused in Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire plot wading through discovery
Read full article: Attorneys for estranged couple accused in Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire plot wading through discoveryThe estranged husband and wife accused of orchestrating the ambush murder of Jared Bridegan in 2022 will be back in court Monday for back-to-back hearings.
Admitted gunman in Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire plot makes brief appearance in court
Read full article: Admitted gunman in Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire plot makes brief appearance in courtHenry Tenon, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the conspiracy to kill Jared Bridegan has a pretrial hearing scheduled Monday in Duval County court.
Estranged husband, wife accused in Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire plot appear in court as co-defendants for 1st time
Read full article: Estranged husband, wife accused in Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire plot appear in court as co-defendants for 1st timeThe estranged husband and wife accused of orchestrating the ambush murder of Jared Bridegan in 2022 saw each other for the first time in over a year when they appeared back-to-back in court Friday.
‘It’s so peaceful here’: Avondale neighbors are shocked after man was found dead on St. Johns Avenue
Read full article: ‘It’s so peaceful here’: Avondale neighbors are shocked after man was found dead on St. Johns AvenueA man is dead after a shooting in Jacksonville’s Avondale neighborhood. It happened Saturday on St. Johns Avenue near Montgomery Place.
Wiretap, phone searches among key evidence in Jared Bridegan murder investigation
Read full article: Wiretap, phone searches among key evidence in Jared Bridegan murder investigationProsecutors and defense attorneys are preparing for a legal showdown in the Jared Bridegan murder case, which new legal filings show will involve the use of wire taps and phone search warrants.
Going Ringside Ep. 38: The Jimmy Snuka murder charge
Read full article: Going Ringside Ep. 38: The Jimmy Snuka murder chargeIn this article we explore the cold case that lasted more than 30 years and eventually led to murder charges being filed against former WWE star Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. It's a case that started in 1983 and remained cold until police re-opened it in 2013.
Shanna Gardner booked into the Duval County jail will face murder charges in the death of ex-husband Jared Bridegan
Read full article: Shanna Gardner booked into the Duval County jail will face murder charges in the death of ex-husband Jared BrideganA Jacksonville Beach woman accused in a murder-for-hire plot to kill her ex-husband is in the Duval County jail.
Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife Shanna Gardner will be extradited to Florida to face charges in elaborate murder plot
Read full article: Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife Shanna Gardner will be extradited to Florida to face charges in elaborate murder plotGardner waived extradition Thursday from Washington state back to Florida, where she’s charged with first-degree murder in the ambush shooting death of her ex-husband, Jared Bridegan.
Washington Governor signs extradition order for Shanna Gardner, charged with murder of ex-husband, Jared Bridegan
Read full article: Washington Governor signs extradition order for Shanna Gardner, charged with murder of ex-husband, Jared BrideganWashington state Governor, Jay Inslee, signed a warrant of arrest and extradition for Shanna Gardner, clearing the way for her to be brought back to Florida to face charges in the murder of Jared Bridegan.
Florida governor signs extradition warrant for Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner
Read full article: Florida governor signs extradition warrant for Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna GardnerA Jacksonville Beach woman accused of orchestrating the death of her ex-husband in a murder-for-hire plot is scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning in Washington state.
Police arrest suspect in deadly stabbing on Edgewood Avenue
Read full article: Police arrest suspect in deadly stabbing on Edgewood AvenueThe Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office have identified a suspect in the deadly stabbing that happened near Value Pawn on Edgewood Avenue Sunday, June 4. After following up on evidence and interviewing witnesses, police identified the suspect as Steve Kent Ziegler, 62. A warrant has been issued for Ziegler for murder.
Jacksonville man who pleaded guilty to girlfriend’s murder sentenced to 30 years in prison
Read full article: Jacksonville man who pleaded guilty to girlfriend’s murder sentenced to 30 years in prisonNorth Pridgen was sentenced to 30 years in prison and 10 years probation for the murder of Teresa Gorczyca in 2021.
Mother of Tristyn Bailey’s killer sentenced to 30 days in jail, 5 years probation for tampering with evidence
Read full article: Mother of Tristyn Bailey’s killer sentenced to 30 days in jail, 5 years probation for tampering with evidenceThe mother of a teenager now serving a life sentence for killing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey entered a plea of no contest Friday afternoon and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of probation after being accused of crimes related to her son’s case.
Mother of Tristyn Bailey’s killer expected to plead guilty to tampering with evidence charges
Read full article: Mother of Tristyn Bailey’s killer expected to plead guilty to tampering with evidence chargesThe mother of a teenager now serving a life sentence for killing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey is expected to plead guilty on Friday to charges related to her son’s case.
Investigators use technology to connect the dots and arrest a murder suspect
Read full article: Investigators use technology to connect the dots and arrest a murder suspectPayne Fair Johnson Jr., 70, is accused of murdering Philip Hetzner, 67, in Tallyrand in December 2022. Now, a newly released arrest warrant details how investigators connected the dots and made an arrest.
Man arrested in South Carolina, accused of fatally shooting industrial worker in December
Read full article: Man arrested in South Carolina, accused of fatally shooting industrial worker in DecemberMore than four months later, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a man connected to a December shooting at a Tallyrand business.
St. Johns County man accused in wife’s death after saying someone else left her naked, injured in front yard
Read full article: St. Johns County man accused in wife’s death after saying someone else left her naked, injured in front yardA St. Johns County man accused in the death of his wife has been arrested, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
JSO arrest two men nearly five months after deadly shooting
Read full article: JSO arrest two men nearly five months after deadly shootingThe Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrested Cameron Davis, 21, and Kijean John, 20, for murder and robbery. Last October, emergency crews responded to a shooting on Commonwealth Avenue. Julio Rivera, 34, was pronounced dead at the scene.
DNA could crack a notorious Florida cold case
Read full article: DNA could crack a notorious Florida cold caseIt was among Florida’s oldest unsolved crimes on record, notorious for its brutality, as well as for a pool of suspects that numbered over 600. High among them: The killers made infamous in Truman Capote’s true crime classic “In Cold Blood.”
JSO report details what led to arrest of man charged in North Jacksonville triple murder
Read full article: JSO report details what led to arrest of man charged in North Jacksonville triple murderAn arrest report obtained Wednesday by News4JAX reveals new information in the arrest of Ja-Darrius Jones, the man who faces charges of second-degree murder in the deaths of three people whose bodies were found by Jacksonville police inside a home on the Northside.
18-year-old accused of second-degree murder after 3 people found dead in North Jacksonville
Read full article: 18-year-old accused of second-degree murder after 3 people found dead in North JacksonvilleThe Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced Monday the arrest of an 18-year-old who is accused of murder in the death of three people on Jacksonville’s Northside.
As Aiden Fucci’s attorneys prepare for trial, the I-TEAM takes a look at similar cases of children charged with murder
Read full article: As Aiden Fucci’s attorneys prepare for trial, the I-TEAM takes a look at similar cases of children charged with murderAs Aiden Fucci’s attorneys prepare for trial, the News4JAX I-TEAM is looking at similar cases of children charged with murder… and how they were treated before trial.
Police report reveals what suspect reportedly told someone before his arrest in woman’s murder
Read full article: Police report reveals what suspect reportedly told someone before his arrest in woman’s murderA Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office report details what suspect Isaiah Greene, 18, said to an acquaintance before he was arrested and charged with second degree murder.
Police report reveals what suspect reportedly told someone before his arrest in woman’s murder
Read full article: Police report reveals what suspect reportedly told someone before his arrest in woman’s murderA Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office report details what suspect Isaiah Greene, 18, said to an acquaintance before he was arrested and charged with second degree murder.
Police report details what suspect told acquaintance before arrest in woman’s murder
Read full article: Police report details what suspect told acquaintance before arrest in woman’s murderA Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office report details what suspect Isaiah Greene, 18, said to an acquaintance before he was arrested and charged with second degree murder.
Man suspected of murdering woman accused her of lying and cheating, according to police report
Read full article: Man suspected of murdering woman accused her of lying and cheating, according to police reportA Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office report details what suspect Isaiah Greene, 18, said to an acquaintance before he was arrested and charged with second degree murder. Greene was arrested Tuesday after a woman’s body was found the day before at a home in the Moncrief Park neighborhood.
19-year-old charged in triple homicide now facing murder charge in another case
Read full article: 19-year-old charged in triple homicide now facing murder charge in another caseA 19-year-old Jacksonville man who was already facing three counts of murder in a 2021 triple homicide has now been charged in an earlier murder case, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced Friday.
Wife of former JSO officer sentenced to 30 years for role in murder and robbery
Read full article: Wife of former JSO officer sentenced to 30 years for role in murder and robberyA woman who confessed to helping her husband rob and murder a Jacksonville store owner was sentenced to 30 years in prison Friday.
I-TEAM: Fiancé of pregnant murder suspect ‘I tried to get it stopped’
Read full article: I-TEAM: Fiancé of pregnant murder suspect ‘I tried to get it stopped’A pregnant 27-year-old Jacksonville woman stole her fiance's car and drove to New Jersey, where she shot and killed her younger sister, according to New Jersey authorities.
‘His kids deserve to know’: Widow of father of 4 killed in Jacksonville Beach pleads for answers
Read full article: ‘His kids deserve to know’: Widow of father of 4 killed in Jacksonville Beach pleads for answersIt’s been a month since someone shot and killed a father of four at close range in Jacksonville Beach. His 2-year-old daughter was just feet away in the back seat.
Teen accused in Raines triple shooting among 3 indicted on 1st-degree murder charges
Read full article: Teen accused in Raines triple shooting among 3 indicted on 1st-degree murder chargesA Duval County grand jury on Thursday returned indictments charging three people with first-degree murder in three separate cases, the State Attorney’s Office announced.
Charges upgraded for 17-year-old in Calloway Cove triple murder
Read full article: Charges upgraded for 17-year-old in Calloway Cove triple murderOwen Laureano-Cosme, 17, is charged with second-degree murder in a triple shooting at Calloway Cove Apartments. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One of two 17-year-olds charged in connection with a triple murder at the Calloway Cove apartments on Feb. 8 will be tried as an adult in the case after his felony murder charges were upgraded to second-degree murder, News4Jax has learned. According to a charging document from the State Attorney’s Office, Owen Laureano-Cosme is the suspected shooter in the robbery attempt that left a woman and two men dead. AdKeon Lester, 18, is charged with felony murder, 18-year-old Robert Kay is charged with conspiracy. Another 17-year-old boy is charged with felony murder, and a 14-year-old girl is charged as an accessory.
Woman killed at park is Jacksonville’s 162nd homicide of 2020
Read full article: Woman killed at park is Jacksonville’s 162nd homicide of 2020JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A woman in her 20s was found shot to death Monday morning at Normandy Park, according to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue. A weapon and other evidence were located between where the victim was found and where the subject was taken into custody. “The witnesses provided a clothing and a physical description and the general area which he fled on foot,” JSO homicide Sgt. Her uncle, Timothy Williams, identified the victim as Ta’Liyah Williams. Tuesday morning the Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect, Deiondre Lewis, 22, as the man who was taken into custody.
74 lb. Kimberly Kessler yells, curses during competency hearing
Read full article: 74 lb. Kimberly Kessler yells, curses during competency hearingKessler charged in 2018 murder of Joleen Cummings, co-worker at Tangles Hair Salon. If you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.
Man formally charged with killing wife, 3 children
Read full article: Man formally charged with killing wife, 3 childrenKISSIMMEE, Fla. – Prosecutors have formally charged a man with killing his wife and three children at their Florida home near Walt Disney World. Four charges of second-degree murder were filed Wednesday against Anthony Todt, 44, in Osceola County court. Todt was arrested earlier this month after his wife, Megan, and their children, Alek, Tyler and Zoe, were found dead at the Celebration home. Online records in New York state court showed Todt and his Colchester, Connecticut-based clinics were facing debts to creditors. According to agents, Todt and the clinics submitted claims to Medicaid and private insurers for physical therapy services that weren’t given to patients.
Florida man guilty; used claw hammer, knife to kill family
Read full article: Florida man guilty; used claw hammer, knife to kill familyPENSACOLA, Fla. – A Florida man could get a death sentence after being found guilty of using a claw hammer, knife and gun to kill his mother and half-brothers. His mother, Voncile Smith, 77, and two half-brothers, John Smith, 49, and Richard Smith, 47, were found dead in their home July 31, 2015. Marlin Purifoy, another inmate who testified in hopes of reducing his own sentence, testified that Hartung confessed to the killings while behind bars. Hartung told Purifoy that he "tortured his mother by cutting her pinkie in order to get safe combinations,” Jensen said. “How can Marlin Purifoy know that?
5 charged with murder in opioid OD deaths in Jacksonville
Read full article: 5 charged with murder in opioid OD deaths in JacksonvilleJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five people accused of selling opioids to victims who died of overdose deaths over the last 18 months are facing murder charges, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams and State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced Tuesday. Williams said that his deputies responded to 263 overdose deaths last year. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers said the number of overdose calls in Jacksonville increased by 45% between 2018 and 2019. She said aggressive police work is being met with equally aggressive prosecution to try to stem the number of overdose deaths in the community. Every time you use illegal drugs, you’re taking your life in your hands.”
Killing of Michelle O’Connell case researcher shrouded in mystery nearly a year later
Read full article: Killing of Michelle O’Connell case researcher shrouded in mystery nearly a year laterKilling of Michelle O’Connell case researcher shrouded in mystery nearly a year laterPublished: January 22, 2020, 10:58 pmEllie Washtock’s father: ‘I think if he wasn’t looking into that ... he would still be alive. That’s my gut feeling.'
Surveillance image released of car sought in Mandarin murder case
Read full article: Surveillance image released of car sought in Mandarin murder caseJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville police on Thursday released a surveillance image of a car sought in a recent murder case. Investigators hope someone will recognize the dark-colored sedan pictured in the grainy image as they suspect someone inside the car might have vital information about a Dec. 22 killing in Mandarin. Little information about the case has been released. Details including the exact location of the incident and the victim’s name are listed as exempt on the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office transparency website. Anyone with information about the pictured vehicle, its occupants or the murder is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.
18-year-old’s family pleads for help finding his killer
Read full article: 18-year-old’s family pleads for help finding his killerJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The family of a former Lee High School football player Malik Brown came forward Monday afternoon asking for information his murder Friday night. Brown's family was joined by members of the clergy and Jacksonville City Council to discuss his death and the lack of arrests. "This is my family and also my community," relative Brittany Herndon said. The group is also setting up a community plan to stop continuing violence in the same Jacksonville neighborhoods. The family held Monday’s news conference at the Cochran Law Firm because Brown had a relative who works there and the whole firm is devastated.
Ex-girlfriend says man accused of killing woman at Southside apartment was violent, controlling
Read full article: Ex-girlfriend says man accused of killing woman at Southside apartment was violent, controllingMarkas Fishburne charged with murder in death of Aisha LevyIf you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.
Woman killed in Southside apartment was ‘beautiful inside and out,’ parents say
Read full article: Woman killed in Southside apartment was ‘beautiful inside and out,’ parents sayMan charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of 25-year-old Aisha LevyIf you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.
Man accused of killing wife, kids complained of constant ‘nagging, poking, prodding’
Read full article: Man accused of killing wife, kids complained of constant ‘nagging, poking, prodding’Evidence released against Michael Jones who is charged with 5 counts of murder. If you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.
'How to Get Away with Murder' to end with Season 6
Read full article: 'How to Get Away with Murder' to end with Season 6Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesABC is closing the case of "How to Get Away with Murder," announcing Thursday that the upcoming sixth season of the Viola Davis-starring legal drama will be its last. Davis plugged the upcoming season on Twitter, and called the show one of "greatest rides" of her life. "Murder," which is executive produced by Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers and Stephen Cragg, became a hit for ABC when it premiered in fall 2014. It helped cement what the network dubbed its "TGIT" lineup, which also included Shondaland produced "Scandal" and "Grey's Anatomy." According to a release provided to CNN, the final season of "Murder" will focus on the class's last semester of law school and premieres Sept. 26.