The jurors took only a little more than a hour to recommend the death penalty by 10-2 vote for Patrick Gonzalez in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings. Judge Geeker will…
Category: News
Another drug/gun smuggling ring busted
These stories are slipping under the radar, but drugs and guns are being smuggled all around us–to and from Mexico. Press Release: FOUR SENTENCED IN MULTI-NATIONAL DRUG AND GUN-TRAFFICKING RING PANAMA CITY,…
More from Hayward interview
Here are the portions from the Oct. 21 interview with Ashton Hayward that we didn’t have space to include in the issue: IN: Do you see at least part of the mayor’s…
More from Wiggins interview
The interviews with mayoral candidates Mike Wiggins and Ashton Hayward went on for over two hours. We didn’t have the space to include all of each interview in the newspaper. Here is…
Meek stays in race
Ben Smith of Politico reported today that Bill Clinton tried, and almost succeeded, last week to convince Kendrick Meek to end his U.S. Senate campaign and to endorse Gov. Charlie Crist. Meek…
Gonzalez found guilty
Patrick Gonzalez has been found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder. Jury will deliberate sentencing on Friday.
Defense rests without calling a witness
As one defense attorney who was watching the trial of Patrick Gonzalez told me, when you’re dealt a crappy hand it’s best to fold and hope on the mercy of the jury….
Batchelor: Blackberry Gate
Last night on The John Batchelor Show, I discussed with host John Batchelor and John Avlon, senior political columnist for The Daily Beast, author of “Wingnuts” and CNN political analyst, the last…
John Batchelor Show
I will be interviewed on nationally syndicated radio show – The John Batchelor Show at 8:15 p.m. We will be talking Florida politics. Here is the bio from his website: On September…
Rejected forum questions
Yesterday I had two questions submitted from the public. Both were pointed and only for one candidate. One question was to be directed to Wiggins, the other towards Hayward. In both instances,…
Mid-term rumble
When someone offers you a front-row seat to a panel discussion moderated by ABC’s chief political correspondent George Stephanopoulos and including James Carville, political consultant; Harold Ford Jr., executive vice chairman of…
Chamber forum observations
Last night was the final political forum for the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. It was on the mayor’s race. WUWF-TV televised it, 1620AM broadcasted it. I was the moderator. Being…
Observations from Gonzalez trial
It was a masterful stroke for the prosecution team of John Molchan and Bill Eddins to have the Billings’ daughter, Ashley Markham, testify first. They even figured out a way to get…
Opening arguments in Gonzalez trial
State Attorney Bill Eddins gave the opening statement today for the prosecution in the trial of Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. who is on trial for the July 9, 2009 murders of Byrd…
Blog week will be busy
I will be in and out of the office today covering the Patrick Gonzalez trial. TruTV’s In Session has asked that I provide commentary on the trial, which we will a little…
Is Bare helping or hurting Wiggins
Mike Wiggins has the vocal support of Charles Bare and Diane Mack. The two were very different candidates for mayor before the August primary; they had very different platforms. Mack led the…
Maddox visits Pensacola
Democratic candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture Scott Maddox stopped by the IN offices Tuesday afternoon. Maddox said that even though his opponent, Adam Putnam, has “vastly” outspent him, the race is a…
Mack believes Hall, DeWeese may try to raise property taxes
Yesterday, Councilwoman Diane Mack posted on her blog her review of the recent 12-point pledge by Mayor Mike Wiggins, who Mack is supporting for re-election. In her comments on Wiggins’ pledge not…
Buzz: Early voting brisk
In a quick conversation this morning, Escambia County Superintendent of Elections David Stafford said that the first two days of early voting have seen about twice as many people vote as did…
Will Mack continue crusade?
Councilwoman Diane Mack was able to push through the renaming of two blocks of north Alcaniz Street and making them part of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. As an outgoing city…