Judge throws out evidence in which officer claims to smell marijuana
LARGO — A judge has thrown out the evidence in a drug possession case, saying there was insufficient proof a Largo police officer actually smelled the odor of marijuana he said was coming from a car. It's the second time in a year that a judge has questioned a search in a drug case handled by Officer Michael Vegenski, and both cases involved the purported odor of marijuana. In the newest case, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Timothy Peters granted a motion filed by Jordan Tawil,
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
Pinellas judge finds St. Petersburg officer's testimony 'incredible' — and not in a good
ST. PETERSBURG — Last fall, members of the Police Department's street crimes unit converged on a green sport utility vehicle spotted making a rolling right-hand turn at a red light. The driver, Emanuel Bell, had just left a suspected drug dealer's house. Bell pulled into a McDonald's at Fourth Street and 38th Avenue N and held out his driver's license for the officer, who approached his window. The officer made Bell get out, then searched a center console after seeing Bell mo
Police mistake puts wrong woman in 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 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
Woman misidentified, arrested for crime she didn't commit
Venice, Florida -- A Venice woman got the scare of her life last September when deputies swarmed into the floral shop where she works. 30-year-old Angela Silva tells 10 News she was working in arrangements for a funeral when she was approached by the deputies with very confusing news for her. They told her they had a warrant for her arrest for allegedly selling a controlled substance to undercover detectives in July. "I was very confused and scared. I had no idea what was go
