Shooting in Lafayette, Louisiana

Another Cowardly Shooting in a Movie Theater

Several people are fighting for their life tonight following yet another incident of attempted mass murder, once again in a crowded movie theater.  The victims have been transported to local hospitals, but it appears that at least one innocent person has died.  An awful addition to the saga that is, the Aurora Theater shooting in Colorado.  Literally hours before this attack, the jury in the Aurora Theater shooting found that the crimes of the shooter were in fact worthy of the death penalty. 

Speculation as to motive or modus operandi

It seems inappropriate to speculate about any possible motive for this terrible crime, while victims are still fighting for their life, but it is impossible to ignore the coincidence that today is the day where the jury in the Aurora shooting effectively approved of the use of the death penalty as a potential sentence. 

http://www.wsfa.com/story/29618627/jury-reaches-phase-1-verdict-in-co-theater-killer-trial

Certainly, the choice of a movie theater as the target for this psychopath makes the connection to the Aurora shooting like something out of a horror movie.  As the victims of this pathetic act struggle to recover, the shooter appears to have decided to take his own life.  To that I say "Good, as his torment in hell has only just begun". 

Future Threats of Violence

In a country with such a great degree of freedom such as ours, acts of unspeakable violence are unavoidable.  We do not wish to live in a police state, and these unfortunately are the consequences of our free society.  However, a larger issue is one that the media will almost certainly ignore: My greatest fear has long been that Islamic Extremists and other terrorist groups will learn that "home-run" terrorist attacks such as 9/11 are extremely difficult to pull off, especially in today's climate.

However, a group of three men strategically entering into a crowded shopping mall with homemade explosives and fully automatic weapons and backpacks of ammunition could wreak havoc on the entire mall population.  This is similar to the scenario that played out in Norway, when a shooter murdered 75 people and injured over 200 more.  This is truly the scariest scenario and evidence does suggest that terror groups and extremists of all stripes have caught on.

I pray for the victims and the families of the victims who had to undergo such depravity while trying to enjoy a summer movie with their friends and families.  The murderer has killed himself, a fate that he truly did deserve. 

Longwood, Florida Remembers "The Senator Tree" of Central Florida.

The Senator Tree in Seminole County, Florida

Long-time residents of Central Florida will remember the very large tree of Central Florida, nicknamed "The Senator Tree", in 1927 after State Senator Moses Overstreet.  At one point in time, this tree was impressively gigantic, 165 feet tall.  This towering tree became an icon for Seminole County, Florida and was adored by Central Florida Residents.

The End of an Icon

Before the tree earned it's nickname, in 1925 a Hurricane reduced the height of the tree from 165 feet to 138 feet.  In 2012, the massive tree had lost more height due to age, and stood a still impressive 118 feet tall.  However, Seminole County lost an icon that year.  The Big Tree did not survive the ferocious flames set by a 26 year-old woman who told police that she set the fire "because it was too dark, and she wanted to see the drugs that she was using".  The "Senator Tree" was a total loss. 

Seminole County Remembers The Senator Tree

The tree as it once stood is lost forever, however, residents of Seminole County, Florida still have the opportunity to see a piece of this great Central Florida landmark.  Through September 30th, 2015 Longwood, Florida residents and visitors will be able to review various pieces of artwork that are made from the charred timbers of the fallen grand tree. Additionally, pieces of the Senator Tree have been donated to the U.S. National Herbatorium Museum in Washington D.C.  If you are interested in checking out this great piece of Central Florida history, the details are below:

Beginning this weekend, we can see more than 100 of the results at the Museum of Seminole County History, in an exhibition titled "The Senator's Sculptures: Ancient Wood Reborn." The work of 18 artists, it will be on display through Sept. 30.

www.byrdlawfirm.org

Orlando Thief Caught By Leaving Behind Receipt with His Name and Address

An Orlando, Florida man, Demetrius Washington, was arrested on June 1st, 2015 when he left his real name and address on a "pawn" receipt regarding copper and metal that he sold off from a local Orlando scrap yard.  This information enabled Orlando law enforcement to locate him and upon their questioning of Mr. Washington he apparently admit to not only selling the air conditioner for scraps but to stealing it as well.

The tale of Orlando's own Mr Washington is a lesson to anyone that is facing potential criminal charges, it is almost always wiser to invoke your Constitutional right to remain silent.  If the only evidence against Mr. Washington had been the sale of the air conditioning unit, it would have been hard to prove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that he was the one who stole the property.  It is true that the Orlando prosecutors would likely obtain the presumption of recently stolen property in the jury instructions, but this could be overcome by a simple explanation that the defendant merely acted as a "fence".

Additionally, without this admission by the defendant, even the dealing in stolen property charge would have not been a slam dunk.  The defense could have provided the suggestion that he may have picked up the air conditioner during an Orlando "bulk trash" night, or found it in an Orlando dumpster.  Unfortunately for Mr. Washington, he has now provided the State of Florida and my former colleagues at the State Attorney's Office in Orange County, ample evidence to convict him of: Dealing in Stolen Property, Grand Theft (could be a serious issue with proving the value), and the Burglary charge (as the property was removed from a structure).

 www.byrdlawfirm.org