Criminal Defense Case Results

Defraud of Senior

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. “DG”

DG was the Sergeant in charge of supervising the financial crimes unit of a law enforcement agency with countywide jurisdiction. After a lengthy investigation DG was fired, arrested, and charged with engaging in an organized scheme to defraud a ninety-three year old man of nearly $100,000, along with 23 other related felony offenses. The State alleged that, after DG was initially called out to investigate a theft at the elderly victim’s home, he began a visiting the man several times each week in order establish a friendship and gain the man’s trust. The State alleged that over the next several months DG stole over $80,000 in cash, and approximately $20,000 worth of valuable collectible items from the victim’s home and safety deposit box. During the course of the alleged scheme, law enforcement became suspicious of DG’s activities and began following him. Ultimately, DG’s supervisors because suspicious of his activities and, with the victim’s consent, installed covert cameras in and around the victim’s home in hopes of catching DG in the act of stealing money. Eventually, law enforcement did obtain video footage of DG removing a large stack of cash from a hidden safe on the victim’s bookshelf. Law enforcement also obtained DG’s bank records, which showed that during the course of the investigation, DG had deposited tens of thousands of dollars in cash into his bank account. Additionally, law enforcement obtained an insurance ledger which listed all of the valuable items contained in the elderly victim’s safety deposit box. On the same three days that DG was captured on bank surveillance footage carrying a large black case into the safety deposit box room, law enforcement learned that DG had pawned items listed on the ledger at various pawn shops within minutes of leaving the bank where the elderly victim’s safety deposit box was kept. When confronted with the evidence, DG offered a full detailed video-taped confession, which was played at his trial. Notwithstanding all this evidence, Attorney Prince was able to get four of the charges dismissed and obtain a NOT GUILTY verdict on eighteen of the charges. The jury hung on two of the charges, but the State, having been thoroughly beaten and embarrassed, dropped those charges following the trial.

1st Degree Murder

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. “VB”

VB was charged with first degree murder following an alleged gang related shooting and was originally facing the death penalty. Attorney Prince convinced the State to seek only life in prison without the possibility of parole prior to trial. At trial, the State alleged that VB, a member of the “Bloods” criminal street gang, observed the victim, who was a member of the “Crypts” criminal street gang, walking on her street one afternoon. In broad daylight and in front of many people, VB was alleged to have approached the victim and ordered him to leave her “set” or territory. When the victim refused, the witnesses all claimed that VB produced a firearm and shot him in the chest. The witnesses also claimed that, as the victim laid dying on the ground, VB stood over the victim and fired another shot into his body. VB then fled the scene. VB was later apprehended hiding out at a hotel. The firearm that had been used to shoot the victim was found in VB’s possession. Forensic analysis would later reveal that VB’s DNA was on the firearm, and would likewise demonstrate that when the second shot fired was into the victim he had indeed been laying prone on the ground. When confronted with the evidence, VB offered a full, detailed video-taped confession. Notwithstanding the evidence against VB, Attorney Prince succeeded in obtaining a NOT GUILTY verdict on the murder charge.

1st Degree Murder

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. “JP”

JP was charged with First Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon after he allegedly shot his girlfriend’s husband six times, killing him. JP was facing the death penalty, but the Attorney Prince convinced the State to only seek life in prison without the possibility of parole shortly before trial. At trial, the State alleged that JP had been engaged in a sexual relationship with a married woman who had separated from her husband. The witnesses agreed that on the night of the shooting, the victim came to his estranged wife’s residence in order to drop his son off. During the visit, the victim informed JP that he was going to get back together with his wife and told JP that he would need to pack his belongings and leave the residence immediately. The victim then left the residence, indicating that he would return shortly and that, when he did, JP would need to be gone. Once the victim left the residence, JP called his brother on the phone stating that he “needed some fire,” which meant that he needed a gun. JP admitted during the trial that his brother did in fact bring him the firearm before the victim returned to the residence. Later that evening, the victim did return to the residence, reiterating that it was time for JP to go. When the victim approached the porch where JP was seated, JP pulled the gun from his waistband and began firing. The victim was shot six times, including a fatal strike to the back. In addition to admitting that he shot the victim and that he possessed the firearm prior to the victim returning to the residence, JP admitted that he was an eleven time convicted felon during his testimony at trial. At the end of the four day trial, Attorney Prince obtained NOT GUILTY verdicts on both charges in a matter of minutes. Notwithstanding his acquittal, JP was not immediately set free because he was being held on other felony charges. Three weeks after JP was acquitted on the first degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charges, Attorney Prince succeeded in getting the remaining felony charges dismissed by filing a motion to dismiss. JP was reunited with his family, returned to work, and now appreciates his freedom every day. JP remains close with Attorney Prince.

Sexual Battery

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. “GD”

GD was a starting wide receiver at Florida State University, and projected to be a first round NFL draft pick at the time of his arrest for sexual battery (rape). The State alleged that GD invited a female friend, the alleged victim, to go out drinking at a local night club with him and his friends. The alleged victim planned to sleep at GD’s apartment so that she would not have to arrange transportation back to her apartment so late at night. The victim claimed that she went to bed when she, GD, and his roommates all returned to the apartment. She further alleged that she was awakened by GD touching her buttocks and genitals sometime later, at which point she told GD to stop. The alleged victim claimed that GD then jumped on top of her, forcibly removed her underwear as she hit, bit, and yelled at him, eventually forcing her legs apart and penetrating her against her will. The alleged victim testified that she immediately fled the apartment following the assault, flagging down an officer and reporting the crime. Following his arrest, GD gave a full, detailed, video-taped confession confirming the alleged victim’s version of the events. Notwithstanding the evidence, Attorney Prince succeeded in obtaining NOT guilty verdicts on the charged offense of Sexual Battery, as well of the lesser offense of Attempted Sexual Battery. GD was immediately released from jail and returned to the football field to complete his collegiate career, and expects to be drafted in the 2016 NFL draft.

Sexual Battery

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. “DK”

DK was charged with sexual battery (rape) on his children’s seventeen year old babysitter. The alleged victim claimed that DK and his wife hired her to babysit their children so that they could go out one night. The alleged victim claimed that when the couple returned home late that evening, DK was intoxicated. She further asserted that, after his wife went to bed, DK began making sexual advances. The alleged victim specifically asserted that DK grabbed her hair so that she could not move her head and began kissing her. She claimed that DK then pushed her down on a couch, removed her shorts and panties and penetrated her against her will. The alleged victim claimed that, following the assault, DK was kneeling on one knee next to the couch naked explaining that he thought she “wanted it” when DK’s wife walked in and found them. The alleged victim ran to DK’s wife who called the police. Law enforcement alleged that, when they arrived at the scene, DK had locked his wife and the alleged victim out of the house and that a stand-off ensued. Law enforcement further explained at trial that they were ultimately able DK to agree to let them into the house, at which time he was arrested. Attorney Prince obtained NOT GUILTY verdicts on all charges related to the alleged assault. DK avoided the 50 years of prison time that he was facing and is a successful business owner today. DK remains close with Attorney Prince.

Sexual Battery

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. “NC”

NC was charged with sexual battery on an incapacitated victim after he was alleged to have digitally penetrated a drunk, sleeping woman without her consent. The alleged victim was an acquaintance of NC and he attended party at her residence on the night of the assault. The alleged victim consumed a large amount of alcohol and then went to her bedroom and passed out. She testified that she awoke early the next morning with her underwear and pants pulled down to find that NC was digitally penetrating her without her consent. The alleged victim screamed at NC, ran to her roommate’s room crying hysterically, and immediately called the police. NC fled the residence. NC soon began sending the alleged victim text messages apologizing. Law enforcement then arranged for the alleged victim to conduct a recorded phone call with NC. During the recorded call, the alleged victim told NC that she would only forgive him if he admitted what he did step by step and explained when he did it. NC obliged, confessing in explicit detail and claiming that he did it because he was “drunk and horny.” Notwithstanding the evidence, Attorney Prince obtained NOT GUILTY verdicts on both the charged sexual battery and the lesser attempted sexual battery. NC was immediately freed from jail.

1st Degree Murder

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. “PL”

PL was charged with Attempted First Degree Murder with a Firearm, Attempted Armed Robbery with a Firearm, and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. The alleged victim claimed that he was waiting outside a mall with over a dozen other people anticipating the release of the new “Air Jordan” shoes when PL approached him brandishing a firearm. According to the alleged victim, PL demanded his wallet then immediately struck him in the head with the firearm, knocking him to the ground. The alleged victim asserted that he then leapt to his feet and ran for his life, at which point PL began firing at him. The bullets struck the vehicle the alleged victim was hiding behind and several spent shell casings were ultimately obtained by law enforcement. PL then fled the scene. Many of the witnesses attended the same high school as PL several years before the alleged offense and were able to immediately identify him by name when law enforcement arrived on scene. Moreover, surveillance footage from a nearby gas station clearly depicted PL. When PL was arrested later that day, he was found in possession of the magazine clip and ammunition which matched the shell casings at the scene. PL admitted that he struck the victim and attempted to rob him. Notwithstanding the evidence, Attorney Prince prevented the jury from finding PL guilty of ANY of the charged offenses.

Aggravated Assault

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. “JC”

JC had no criminal history, but was charged with committing an aggravated assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, which is a “10-20-Life” offense which requires a minimum mandatory sentence in state prison. The alleged victim, who was an off duty law enforcement officer, claimed that JC became enraged after he accidently cut him off in traffic. The officer testified that JC followed his unmarked vehicle, honking, making obscene gestures, and swerving erratically from lane to lane. The officer explained that JC ultimately pulled up along-side his vehicle, pointing a firearm at him and yelling. The officer claimed that he slammed on his brakes and took evasive action to get away from JC. At trial, Attorney Prince exposed the officer as a racist who had used the “N-word” as a slur against JC, who was a young African-American male. The jury wasted no time in finding JC NOT GUILTY.

Attempted Murder

Not Guilty

State of Florida v. “CM”

CM was a prison release re-offender (recently released from prison and facing a mandatory life sentence) and prison gang member who was charged with Attempted First Degree murder after he allegedly stabbed a young man at a night club. The alleged victim with an investigator for the public defender’s office who was trained in police investigative tactics. He was at a night club with friends when he accidently bumped into CM. CM demanded the alleged victim explain “what his problem was” at which point the alleged victim explained that it was merely an accident. The alleged victim then turned around to leave when he felt a sharp strike to his back. He turned back around to face CM and asked why CM had punched him in the back. CM allegedly responded “No, bro… not a punch” holding up a blood covered knife. All of the alleged victim’s friends confirmed his version of the events and identified CM as the assailant. CM was especially easy to identify because of the distinctive prison tattoos on his face, which the alleged victim carefully described based on his investigative experience. Notwithstanding the clear identification by all the witnesses, Attorney Prince obtained a four minute NOT GUILTY verdict for CM after three days of trial testimony by the State witnesses. CM was immediately freed from jail. He moved out of state, got engaged, and had a little girl. CM also continued to pursue his music career, and is an emerging rapper who was recently signed by a record label. CM remains in close contact with Attorney Prince.

Armed Robbery

Dismissed

State of Florida v. “WR”

WR was charged with double Armed Robbery with a Firearm. He was alleged to have held two people at gun point, pressing the gun against one of the victim’s heads as he robbed them. As WR fled the scene on foot, police responded to the scene with K-9 units. The K-9’s successfully tracked WR through the forest and forcibly secured his surrender. The firearm used in the robbery, as well as the stolen property, was found by law enforcement as they tracked his escape route. Once he was arrested, the victims both identified WR as the assailant. WR was later released, however, so that the police could conduct DNA testing on the firearm and stolen property discarded along WR’s escape path. Ultimately, the evidence was linked to WR and he was placed in custody and held without bond for a year and a half while he awaited trial. During the first year and a half his case was pending, WR was represented by another attorney. WR hired Attorney Prince because he got scared as the case neared trial. After taking the case over, Attorney Prince immediately recognized a technical speedy trial violation created by the fact that WR was arrested, released, and later re-arrested after more than 175 days had passed. Attorney Prince filed a motion for discharge, which the State Attorney vehemently opposed. However, the judge was required to dismiss all charges. WR was immediately released.

Burglary of a Dwelling with a Person Assaulted and with a Violation of Probation

NOT GUILTY/ NO VIOLATION OF PROBATION

State of Florida v. JA

JA was charged with Burglary of a Dwelling with a Person Assaulted and with a Violation of Probation in a case wherein he had previously pled to Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. JA was facing life in prison for these charges, which arose out of an incident wherein JA was alleged to have kicked in the door of the victim's home and beaten the man with an object a until he was unconscious. The alleged victim had attempted to rape JA's teenage daughter, who had been babysitting for the man and his wife, when he returned home intoxicated hours earlier. Investigators from the Tallahassee Police Department recovered high definition surveillance footage of JA approaching the alleged victim's back door just before the beating occurred. The surveillance footage also showed JA fleeing the scene immediately after the beating. Additionally, JA admitted that he was present when the beating occurred. Notwithstanding these facts, the jury found JA NOT GUILTY of the new life felony charge (The Burglary with Person Assaulted) and the judge found that, even under the much lower evidentiary standard utilized for a violation of probation, JA had not violated his probation. JA was immediately freed after eighteen months in jail awaiting trial and returned home to his wife and daughters.

Fleeing and Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer

NOT GUILTY

State of Florida v. MF

MF was charged with Fleeing and Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Habitual Driving with a Suspended License. MF, who MF was known to local law enforcement based on multiple prior instances of fleeing while driving illegally, was facing 25 years in prison when he proceeded to trial. At trial, a Tallahassee Police Department Task Force Officer testified that he attempted to conduct a traffic stop on MF's vehicle, but MF fled at a high rate of speed. Eventually, law enforcement vehicles cornered MF's vehicle and the primary officer blocked the front of MF's vehicle with his own patrol vehicle. The officer testified that he was mere feet from MF and identified him as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. The officer testified that MF revved his engine and drove straight his patrol vehicle before veering away at the last second. The officer testified that although MF escaped, they soon obtained a warrant for his arrest and captured him. Notwithstanding the officer's testimony, MF was found NOT GUILTY by the jury and immediately returned home to his family.

Sexual Assault Case

$1,000,000.00 Jury Verdict

BC & VL v. Sheriff of Bay County

BC and VL were inmates in the Bay County Jail where they were sexually assaulted by a correctional officer on multiple occasions. BC and VL did not immediately report the assaults because they feared, as multi-time convicted felons, no one would believe them and that their lives would be in danger. Even after the assaults came to light, BC and VL were hesitant about filing a lawsuit against the Bay County Sheriff's Office because such a lawsuit would only be successful if it could be proven that the Warden of the Bay County Jail personally knew about the assaults and allowed them to continue. After many years of litigation, the case proceeded to trial. During cross-examination at trial, the rapist finally admitted that the Warden had confronted him about the sexual assaults but not taken any action. A former correctional officer and other inmates were also discovered through investigation and called as witnesses on behalf of BC and VL, ultimately testifying that the Warden did in fact permit the rapes to continue occurring. Following the trial, the jury returned a $1,000,000.00 verdict against the Bay County Sheriff's Office, the largest inmate sexual assault verdict in the history of the state and the largest civil verdict of any kind in Bay County history.

CF

$115,00.00 Settlement

KK

$50,000.00 Settlement

MC

$45,000.00 Settlement

CJ

$40,000 Settlement

SS

$30,000.00 Settlement

TG

$25,000.00 Settlement

JK

$25,000.00 Settlement

JS

$20,000.00 Settlement

DD

$75,000.00 Settlement