Search Results for: Alachua
Man sentenced to life for deadly home invasion
Man sentenced to life for deadly home invasion
Gainesville, FL A 52-year-old man, Patrick Watson, received a life sentence without parole for orchestrating a home invasion that resulted in the death of 20-year-old D’halani Armstrong. A jury in Alachua County found Watson guilty of first-degree murder, armed home invasion, solicitation to commit armed burglary, and felony possession of a weapon.
Prosecutors revealed during the trial that Watson had hired three individuals, providing them weapons, money, and information about the target. On July 19, 2022, the hired men attacked Armstrong’s home, and Watson had promised them a share of the proceeds from the crime.
Testimony during the trial came from the accomplices who accepted plea deals, detailing their involvement in the crime. Watson faced multiple charges and was convicted on all counts.
Court documents indicate that one accomplice stayed in a car while two others entered the home. Armstrong was shot soon after they entered, and her uncle, Dovico Miles, confronted the intruders, managing to disarm one and returning fire as they fled.
The defense attorney argued the testimony was unreliable, suggesting there was no substantial evidence against Watson. The jury reached its verdict, and the presiding judge affirmed that Watson would spend the rest of his life in prison.
Prior charges against Miles were dropped, and the three accomplices—Tiara Luckie, Jason Ward, and Alderious White—all testified against Watson, ultimately securing his conviction.
Man accused of shoplifting using young daughter as lookout in Gainesville
Man accused of shoplifting using daughter as lookout in Gainesville
Gainesville, FL A 35-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly attempting to steal items from an Ace Hardware with his 6-year-old daughter. Joshua Robert Spirit was apprehended earlier this week on multiple charges, including child abuse and resisting an officer.
The incident reportedly took place at approximately 4 p.m. on Monday, November 10. Security personnel observed Spirit and his daughter in the store’s tool section where he concealed merchandise valued at $199 in his and his daughter’s belongings.
The guard confronted Spirit as he tried to leave the store without paying. Spirit reportedly refused to comply and attempted to flee in his vehicle, nearly hitting the guard in the process.
Responding officers located Spirit outside his residence shortly after. When instructed to stop, Spirit reportedly ran away, leaving his daughter unattended.
He was next seen in the 5900 block of NW 23rd Terrace. Spirit allegedly tried to escape again by jumping over an 8-foot wall and hiding in a Walmart parking lot.
Officers eventually found Spirit concealing himself under a parked car. In attempting to evade capture, he entered the nearby Walmart, where he was apprehended with the assistance of a Taser.
Spirit had prior nonviolent felony convictions and was on probation at the time of his arrest. He was booked at the Alachua County Jail, where a judge set his bond at $45,000 while holding him without bond pending review of his probation status.
Woman arrested for allegedly assaulting deputy after 911 ride request
Woman arrested for allegedly assaulting deputy after 911 ride request
Gainesville, FL
Baylee Jordan Graham, 30, is in custody following an incident at a McDonald’s where she allegedly assaulted a sheriff’s deputy. The incident began shortly after midnight on Tuesday when a deputy responded to a call regarding Graham refusing to leave the restroom.
Upon arrival, the deputy attempted to communicate with Graham, who provided a false name. When Graham exited the bathroom, the deputy charged her phone to facilitate a call for a ride, which led Graham to call 911, claiming she was at a nearby Circle K.
The deputy informed Graham that calling 911 for a ride was a criminal offense. Despite an offer to drive her home, Graham repeatedly refused.
Graham allegedly continued to call 911, prompting dispatchers to notify the deputy of her actions. The deputy instructed her to stop making the calls, but Graham persisted, leading the deputy to approach her.
When the deputy took hold of Graham’s arm, she allegedly struck the deputy in the face, stating, “Do not touch me.” Additional deputies arrived as Graham resisted arrest and attempted to obstruct the vehicle door.
The arrest report indicates that Graham made a total of 14 calls to 911 during the encounter. While in the patrol car, she allegedly made a remark about not being prepared and mentioned harming the deputy in another situation.
Graham faces charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, and misuse of 911. She is being held at the Alachua County Jail with a bond set at $35,000.
