Post Script to Blog Piece on Judge Andrews This Week: The Oath
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, that is the oath a witness is required to make in court before offering testimony. If a witness lies on the stand, the State Attorney can criminally charge that witness with perjury because we recognize as a society that lying is wrong. We are supposed to tell the truth, especially in court under oath. Upon taking office Florida judges, who serve the people, swear to the following, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I
Similar Name, Police Mistake Lands Innocent Woman In A Florida Jail
St. Petersburg, Florida -- Imagine being pulled over for speeding and then all of a sudden, being handcuffed and carted off for jail and you have no idea why. That's what happened to one St. Petersburg woman. The 10 News Investigators have been going through police records and talking to those involved to discover how this could happen. It appears a rookie police officer -- who was still on his probationary period -- and his field training officer made a huge mistake that tur
Pinellas deputy Christopher Taylor resigns rather than face Internal Affairs investigation
LARGO, Fla. - For the second time this week, a deputy from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office has resigned rather than go before an Internal Affairs review board. Sgt. Christopher Taylor resigned Wednesday after reviewing thousands of pages of documents over several days, according to authorities. As the subject of an Internal Affairs investigation, Sgt. Taylor, a 14-year veteran, was supposed to testify under oath and answer questions. Instead, he chose not to. On Monday,
Pinellas narcotics detective resigns after seeing sheriff's evidence against him
LARGO — One narcotics detective has resigned and three others will begin disciplinary hearings this week amid allegations of trespassing, lying and brutality that have plagued the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for months, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Monday. Michael Sciarrino, 36, was scheduled to be interviewed under oath today in an administrative hearing. Instead, said Gualtieri, Sciarrino quit on Monday after reading thousands of pages of interviews and documents collect
Pinellas narcotics detectives are under fire again over allegations of beating a man
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- There are more problems in the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office narcotics unit, and several attorneys are calling for an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department. The newest incident involves a man who says he changed his mind about being a confidential informant and says he was beaten by detectives. Attorney Jordon Tawil says, "It appears they are out of control and the law is not being followed." Tawil is talking about what happened between his clien
WingHouse arrest now part of Sheriff's Office investigations
LARGO — The WingHouse was hopping Sept. 2 when Carissa Michelle Weaver watched her boyfriend go out to the parking lot to make a phone call. When she checked on him a few minutes later, she saw two men grab him and push him to the ground. Weaver screamed. The commotion that followed is now part of an internal affairs investigation by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and a civil rights complaint to the U.S. Justice Department. Weaver's boyfriend, Sergio "Junior'' Valdivies
