2006 NAMI Humanitarian Award
2006 Fred G. Minnis Diversity Award
2005 Coalition for the Homeless Appreciation Award
2004 NAMI Iris Award
Special Projects
Search Warrant 1997
Search Warrant 2007
1997 Recipient of the Investigator of the Year Award
Pinellas County Criminal Defense Attorneys Assocation Robert Hindman Award
Florida Public Defender Association Craig Stewart Barnard Award

Florida Public Defender Association
Craig Stewart Barnard Award

The purpose of the award is to recognize a FPDA member for outstanding service contributing to the improvement of the Florida Public Defender System.

There have been three winners of this prestigious award who either have worked or are still working in our Office.

1988 Anthony Rondolino, Chief Assistant Public Defender, currently a Circuit Judge

1995 Dudley J. Clapp,III, currently Sr. Assistant Public Defender

2000 Chris Helinger, Assistant Public Defender

Chris Helinger joined the Sixth Judicial Circuit Public Defender Office in 1981, shortly after her graduation from Stetson College of Law. For the past 7 years she has focused on complex Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment issues in murder and capital sexual battery cases. Her interest in this area led her to become the director of a new program in Pinellas County called the Interrogation Model. The process allows attorneys to screen cases on arrest to preserve meritorious issues for further litigation or development. The Hon. Bob Dillinger, Public Defender Sixth Judicial Circuit, nominated Mrs. Helinger for this award and outlined many of her accomplishments. They include representing a client charged with multiple armed robberies. Even though her client had been identified by store clerks, additional investigation developed another suspect. When it was learned the second suspect was leaving the state the next day, Ms. Helinger drafted a search warrant, which was issued and served. Clothes worn during the robberies were found in the second suspect’s possession and the state nolle prossed the robbery charges on her client. According to the Sixth Circuit’s research, this was the first defense search warrant issued in Florida and possibly in the United States.

Mr. Dillinger went on to say: “Ms. Helinger initiated a model for screening serious cases for complex litigation on confession issues. She consulted with the world-renowned expert on influence interrogation, Dr. Richard Ofshe, and presented the program currently in effect in the Sixth Judicial Circuit at a nationwide American Bar Association conference in Washington, D.C. Utilizing Dr. Ofshe, she successfully suppressed a two-hour interrogation in a capital sexual battery case resulting in a dismissal”.

Pinellas County Criminal Defense Attorneys Assocation
Robert Hindman Award

Named after Robert "Bob" Hindman, an affable Assistant State Attorney in the 6th Circuit, who was assigned to the Juvenile Division. Mr. Hindman suffered from the effects of childhood polio but was known for his caring attitude for the children . He died shortly after his thirtieth birthday. The Pinellas County Criminal Defense Attorneys Association decided to issue a yearly award for the person who had made an outstanding contribution to the criminal justice system.

Former Recipients:

Bob Dillinger received the first annual Bob Hindman award for his work in exposing brutality in the Sheriff's office, which exposure led to successful lawsuits, terminations of the involved deputies and led to the election of a new Sheriff.

1998 Recipient: Chris Helinger

2001 Recipient: Former Chief Assistant Public Defender David Parry

1997 Recipient of the Florida Public Defender Association
Investigator of the Year Award

Ralph J. Pflieger Investigator Sixth Judicial Circuit Clearwater, Florida

Ralph J. Pflieger has a dual perspective on law enforcement, having worked on both sides of the criminal justice system. Pflieger's career began as a patrol officer with the St. Petersburg Police Department in 1969.

In 1973, Pflieger became a detective in the department's criminal investigation division. In 1985, he began working in homicide where he specialized in polygraph, fire death inquiries and bloodstain analysis for crime scene reconstruction.

Pflieger joined the Sixth Circuit Public Defender Office in 1991, where he performs follow-up criminal investigations on behalf of court appointed indigent defendants.

Pflieger works tirelessly on behalf of his clients. In a recent case, he was able to clear a suspect charged with armed robbery, false imprisonment, sexual battery and attempted sexual battery in a unique legal move.

Working from information that the crimes were committed by a look-alike who worked in the same area as the accused, Pflieger sought a warrant to search the home of the new suspect's sister. Evidence found during the search resulted in his client's freedom.

While it is normal for law enforcement to obtain search warrants, this was the first time in Pinellas County history that the defense sought one.

Search Warrant 1997

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR PINELLAS COUNTY

AFFIDAVIT AND APPLICATION FOR SEARCH WARRANT
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF PINELLAS

Before me, the undersigned Judge, Circuit Court Judge of the
Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pinellas County, Florida,
personally appeared Investigator Ralph Pflieger, Criminal
Investigator for the Office of the Public Defender, Sixth
Judicial Circuit of Florida, who by me first being duly sworn,
deposes and says that he believes and has good reason to believe
that located at 1458 South Jefferson Avenue, Clearwater, Pinellas
County, Florida, there is evidence the Laws of Florida pertaining
to Armed Robbery in violation of Florida Statute 812.13(2)(a)
have been violated and there are instrumentalities or means by
which the crime of Armed Robbery has been committed or evidence
relevant to proving said Armed Robbery is contained within said
dwelling. Your afflant Pflieger's reason for this belief are as
follows:

The address of 1458 South Jefferson Avenue, Clearwater,
Florida is further described as a single story, single family
dwelling house located on the west side of South Jefferson
Avenue, south of its intersection with Bellevue Street in the
unincorporated area of Pinellas County. The structure is pink in
color with darker pink trim. The front entry door consists of a
white colored door with screened window and a pink colored wooden
door on the east side of the building near the center. A black
rural delivery mailbox atop an unpainted wooden posts sits
astride the east easement of the property along Jefferson Avenue.
The numerals "1458" in black lettering on a gold background are
affixed to the north side of this mailbox. A concrete driveway
leads from Jefferson Avenue to a garage located near the north
end of the dwelling. There are three potted
plants in round pots near the stoop at the front entrance and the
rear yard of the dwelling is surrounded by a wooden fence. There
is a vacant lot to the immediate north of this property. This
dwelling is in the care, custody and control of Brenda Craughan,
AKA Brenda H. Austin, according to the tax rolls of Pinellas
County, and is further described as Section 22, Township 29,
Range 15, Subdivision 79480, Block 001, Lot 0170, or Sall's
Subdivision, Block A, Lot 17, in Pinellas County, Florida.
Your Affiant has reason to believe the clothing wom by the
perpetrator of these armed robberies is located at 1458 South
Jefferson Avenue, Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida:
1. Fuschia colored shirt.
2. Purple colored shirt.
3. Grey or blue sweat pants.
4. Dark colored ball cap.
5. White colored high-top sneakers.
6. Wrap around Oakley style sunglasses.
7. Cloth gloves.
8. White shorts.
9. Dark pants.
10. Rust colored long sleeve shirt.
11. Denim shirt.

Your Affiant's reason for this belief are
1. On April 9, 1997 counsel for defendant, Chris Helinger and
Ralph Pflieger, investigator
for the Public Defenders Office, met with Kari Forcella,
ex-girlfriend of Michael Sean Ritter.
2. Michael Sean Ritter is currently incarcerated in the
Pinellas County Jail charged with first degree and bank robbery.
He has been incarcerated since January 2, 1997.
3. The Public Defenders Office was appointed to represent
Joseph Lawson on November 18, 1997.
4. Joseph Lawson is charged with four armed robberies and
sexual assault at beach motels, occurring from August 30, 1996
to October 8, 1996.
5. It came to the attention of Defendant's counsel that there is
striking similarity between the appearance of Mr. Ritter and
Mr. Lawson.
6. The only evidence inculpating Mr. Lawson in the robberies is the
victim's photo pack identification.
7. During the course of Discovery it would seem that the victims of
the four robberies were presented many photo packs before making a
photo identification.
8. At least one victim thinks she may have seen at least 100 photos before
making a photo identification.
9. Two of the victims have indicated that the perpetrator wore either
a purple or fuchsia short sleeve shirt.
10. All four victims have indicated the perpetrator had a silver, small
caliber pistol.
11. An independent witness has indicated that she observed the suspect
and a small white car with a red decal in the rear window in the
vicinity of the robbery at the same time.
12. The robberies generally occurred between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
in the evening.
13. Kafi Forcella resided with Michael Sean Ritter from early May of
1996 until January 1, 1997.
14. Ms. Forcella worked at the Largo Medical Center on the 3:00 p.m.
to 11:30 p.m. shift during the time period when the robberies were
committed.
15. Ms. Forcella owns and drives a small white car with a red and
black decal on the upper left comer of the rear window. The decal was
on the car when the robberies were committed.
16. Her boyfriend, Michael Sean Ritter frequently borrowed her car in
the evening while she was working.
17. During the time they lived together, and during the time frame of the
robberies, Mr.Ritter worked on the beach and drove from Dunedin to
Pass-A-Grille Beach, obviously passing by the beach motels.
18. Prior to living with Ms. Forcella in May of 1996, Mr. Ritter lived
with his step-mother on Madeira Beach, very close to one of the robberies.
19. Mr. Ritter has cotton gloves, the perpetrator wore cotton gloves,
in some of the robberies.
20. Mr. Ritter had a purple shirt and a fuschia shirt.
21. The purple and fachsia shirts are at his sister's home, at 1458
South Jefferson, Clearwater, Flofida.
22. The fuschia shirt was described by one of the victims and Ms.
Forcella as having a logo on the left breast.
23. Ms. Forcella packed up the purple and fuschia shirts after her
boyfiends arrest and delivered them next door to his sister's house.
24. According to Ms. Forcella, Mr. Ritter's father is coming next week
or late this week to pick up his clothing.
25. Mr. Ritter stored a mask, gloves, the fuschia shirt, a black ski
mask, grey sweat pants and a white tank top in the trunk of her automobile.
Ms. Forcella would frequently check the contents of the bag and would always
find these items in the bag during the times the robberies occurred.
26. Mr. Ritter owned a small caliber, silver automatic pistol.
27. In November, 1996, after the robberies, Mr. Ritter told Ms.
Forcella he had thrown the gun in the lake because he didn't need it anymore.
28. After Mr. Ritter was arrested in January, 1997 he told Ms.
Forcella to retrieve the small, silver gun from a field next to his sisters
house.
29. Ms. Forcella, Mr. Ritter's girlfriend and Brenda Craughan, Mr.
Ritter's sister, went to the field and retrieved the gun.
30. A few days later Ms. Forcelia turned the gun over to law enforcement.
31. During the time period the robberies were committed, Ms. Forcella was
watching the six o'clock news with Mr. Ritter and there was a segment
concerning a beach robbery. Ms. Forcella indicated the description of
the robber, including the clothes, fit Mr. Ritter.
Mr. Ritter. She looked at Mr. Ritter and said it could be you. According
to Ms. Forcella, Mr. Ritter just smiled.
32. According to one of the victims the perpetrator had a southern
accent. Mr. Ritter previously lived in Alabama and served a lengthy prison
sentence for three counts of robbery in that state.
33. When Mr. Forcella went to visit Mr. Ritter in the Pinellas County
Jail, after his January arrest he eluded to having significant funds stashed
away. He told her that he had done more robberies.
34. On April 10, 1997, your Affiant spoke with Ms. Forcella and asked
her when she had packed up the clothes and gave them to Mrs. Ritter's sister.
She said around the first of January, 1997. She knows the clothes are in the
residence as about two weeks ago she spoke to Mr. Ritter's niece as well as
his step-mother. Both indicated that the clothes are still there, and Mr.
Ritter's father is coming to pick them up late this week or next week.
35. Additionally, Ms. Forcella said she packed a high-top pair of
white Nikes, wrap around Oakley style sunglasses, gray sweat pants, cloth
gloves, white shorts, dark pants, a fuschia and a purple colored shirt. All
of these items are listed in the police reports as clothing wom by
the perpetrator during the course of these robberies. She also
indicated that Mr. Ritter frequently wore a denim shirt.
36. The only clothing item not mentioned by Ms. Forcella
included in police report clothing descriptions is a rust colored
long sleeved shirt allegedly wom in the Sands of Madeira robbery.
37. Your affiant Pflieger spoke with Public Defender Investigator
Bernadette Brewster and learned that she had a conversation with Michelle Jacks a
victim in the robbery of the Holiday Inn on Treasure Island on August 30, 1996.
38. Jacks indentified to Brewster the shirt worn by the
perpetrator as fuschia in color.
39. During the course of the interview between Jacks and Brewster Jacks inadvertently
saw a copy of Mr. Ritter's booking photograph and said "that's him".
40. Jacks described to Brewster the perpetrator's pants as
shiny, dark jogging type pants and his shoes as white high-top
sneakers.
Your Affiant believes that Michael Sean Ritter was involved
in the four beach robberies, i.e. Holiday Inn, Treasure Island;
Sands of Madeira, Madeira Beach; Roadway Inn Treasure Island;
the clothing that he wore when he committed these robberies is to
be found in his sister's residence, Brenda Craughan.
WHEREFORE, your Affiant prays that a Search Warrant be
issued according to the laws commanding all and singular the
Sheriff and/or Deputy Sheriffs of Pinellas County, Florida, or an
Police Officer of Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida, either in
the daytime or the nightime, with the proper and necessary
assistance, to search persons thereon, reasonably suspected of
being involved in the illegal activity which is the subject of
this warrant, and seize as evidence the herein
described in order that the evidence may be procured to be used
in the prosecution of such person or persons to be involved in
the illegal activity as alleged.


AFFIANT
Swom to and subscribed before me
this day of 1997.

CIRCUIT JUDGE
SEARCH WARRANT


STATE OF FLORIDA

COUNTY OF PINELLAS
TO THE SHERIFF AND/OR DEPUTY SHERIFF OF PINELLAS COUNTY
FLORIDA, AND ANY POLICE OFFICER OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER,
FLORIDA

The attached Affidavit for Search Warrant coming on to be
heard and the Court having examined the Affiant under oath and
having been satisfied that the facts as alleged do exist and that
the law is being violated as alleged, a Search Warrant is hereby
allowed and issued to search the premises described in the
Affidavit for Search Warrant: to-wit: 1458 South Jefferson
Avenue, Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida and is further
described as a single story, single family dwelling house located
on the west side of South Jefferson Avenue, south of its
intersection with Bellevue Street in the unincorporated area of
Pinellas County. The structure is pink in'color with darker pink
trim. The front entry door consists of a white colored door with
screened window and a pink colored wooden door on the east side
of the building near the center. A black rural delivery mailbox
atop an unpainted wooden posts sits astride the east easement of
the property along Jefferson Avenue. The numerals "1458" in
black lettering on a gold background are affixed to the north
side of this mailbox. A concrete driveway leads from Jefferson
Avenue to a garage located near the north end of the dwelling.
There are three potted plants in round pots near the stoop at the
front entrane and the rear yard of the dwelling is surrounded by
a wooden fence. There is a vacant lot to the immediate north of
this property. This dwelling is in the care, custody and control
of Brenda Craughan, AKA Brenda H. Austin, according to the tax
rolls of Pinellas County, and is further described as Section 22,
Township 29, Range 15, Subdivision 79480, Block 001, Lot 0170, or
Sall's Subdivision, Block A, Lot 17, in Pinellas County, Florida.

THESE PRESENTS, THEREFORE, are to command you with the necessary
and proper assistance as the exigencies of the occasion may
demand or require, either in the daytime or the nightime, and on
any day of the week, including Sunday, in or on said premises and
the curtilages thereof, there to diligently search for the herein
described fuchsia colored shirt, purple colored
shirt, grey or blue sweat pants, dark colored ball cap, white
colored high-top sneakers, wrap around Oakley style sunglasses,
cloth gloves, white shorts, dark pants, rust colored long sleeve
shirt, and a denim shirt.

YOU ARE ORDERED to allow a representative from the Public
Defender's Office, Sixth Judicial Circuit to be present during
the execution of the warrant.

YOU ARE FURTHER ORDERED to deliver a true copy of this Search
Warrant with an inventory of the property seized to any person to
be in control of the above described residence, and in the
absence of such person, to leave a copy of this Search Warrant
with an inventory of the property seized at the above described
residence.

CIRCUIT JUDGE
PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA

DONE AND ORDERED THIS DAY
OF APRIL, 1997.

Search Warrant 2007

2007 - Assistant Public Defender Susan Gardner and Public Defender Investigator J.D. Thomas obtained a search warrant in a DUI manslaughter case to show another car, a white Bronco, had pushed our client's yellow car into another vehicle in which a person was killed.  The white Bronco in question revealed yellow paint.  The search warrant resulted from extensive investigation by Investigator Thomas in locating witnesses and eventually the concealed Bronco.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA

AFFIDAVIT AND APPLICATION FOR SEARCH WARRANT

STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF PASCO

BEFORE ME, the undersigned Judge, Circuit Court Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pasco  County, Florida, personally appeared Investigator J. D. Thomas, Criminal Investigator for the Office of the Public Defender, Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida (“AFFIANT”), who by me first being duly sworn, deposes and says that he believes and has good reason to believe that located at 10401 Hazel Avenue, Hudson, Florida 34669-1-14, there is evidence the Laws of Florida pertaining to Leaving the Scene Of An Accident Involving Serious Injury or Death in violation of Florida Statute 316.027(1)(b), have been violated and there are instrumentalities or means by which the crime of Leaving the Scene of An Accident Involving Serious Injury or Death has been committed or evidence relevant to proving said Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Serious Injury or Death is contained upon the property at said location.  Your Affiant Thomas’ reasons for this belief are as follows:

            The address of 10401 Hazel Avenue, Hudson, Florida, is further described as a single story, single family dwelling house located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Hazel Avenue and Cobra Way in an unincorporated area of Pasco County.   The structure is a cream-colored brick dwelling with a white garage door and a brownish-colored roof.  The property is enclosed by a four-foot tall chainlink fence which runs along the southern, western, and northern boundaries of the property.  Along the eastern property line is a chainlink fence and overgrown with weeds and shrubs.   The driveway is paved, and there are gates for access at the driveway, as well as a gate at the sidewalk leading to the front door.  The house faces Hazel Avenue, and the attached garage is at the southeast corner of the dwelling, also facing Hazel Avenue.  There is a mailbox on Hazel Avenue in front of the property with the numbers “10401” on it.  The property consists of the dwelling situated towards the southwest corner of the 2.14 acres.  There are four utility buildings also on the property, three of which are made of wood and one is metal.   A fifth-wheel camper/trailer is parked along the eastern fence line, toward the southern edge of the property. There is a white Ford Bronco near the northeast corner of the property which does not appear to be operable and does not have a license plate attached.  It is facing west.  There is a dirt driveway which runs north and south immediately to the east of the eastern property line of the subject property.  This dwelling is in the care, custody and control of Alice Neu, according to the tax rolls of Pasco County and is further described as parcel identification number 30-24-17-0010-00000-0640, Pasco County, Florida.  According to the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s records, the subject property also has a second address listed as 10339 Hazel Avenue.

            Your Affiant has reason to believe that the white Ford Bronco located on this said property was involved in and/or caused a vehicle crash which resulted in the death of a human being.  Your Affiant Thomas’ reasons for this belief are as follows:

            1.         On December 18, 2007, Susan Gardner, counsel for Samuel Stockdale, who has been charged with DUI Manslaughter in the case of State v. Stockdale, case # CRC0604502CFAWS-4, and J.D. Thomas, Investigator for the Public Defender’s office, met with Ms. Moriah Bartlett, who had knowledge of the events which lead to Mr. Stockdale’s arrest.  Ms. Bartlett had spoken to Ms. Gardner on several occasions prior to her meeting with Affiant, and conveyed knowledge about the vehicle crash in which Mr. Stockdale was the driver of a small, yellow sports car in which his friend Quinton Knox was a passenger.  According to the records of the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on Rogerland Road in Spring Hill, Pasco County, Florida, on June 27, 2006, at approximately 3:45 in the afternoon and involved the yellow vehicle driven by Mr. Stockdale and a semi tractor trailer rock hauler.  The two vehicles were traveling towards each other on opposite sides of Rogerland Road coming around a blind curve when Mr. Stockdale’s car inexplicably swerved into the path of the semi truck.  The yellow car was crushed and Mr. Knox died at the scene.  Ms. Bartlett stated to Affiant that there was another car behind Mr. Stockdale at the time of the accident, and the other car rammed Mr. Stockdale’s car and caused him to swerve into the oncoming semi truck.  Ms. Bartlett stated to Affiant that she knew this because the driver of the car that rammed Mr. Stockdale’s car, Anthony Rowand, and his half-brother and passenger, Ronald Neu, confessed to her and some of her friends about what they had done.  Ms. Bartlett was able to give an accurate description of the vehicle that was driven – she said it was a full-sized, older model white Ford Bronco.  She stated she thought it was “Tony’s” (Anthony’s) vehicle, and she could also identify who was driving and the names and identities of all of the passengers in the vehicle.  Ms. Bartlett also described one of the reasons given why the occupants of the Bronco did not stop to render aid – because one of the passengers in the back seat, Richard “Pops” Fleming had a probation appointment. 

            2.  The driver of the rock truck, Richard Fischer, stated in his sworn, taped interview immediately following the accident that there was a car “right on the yellow car’s bumper – there may not have been any space between them at all.”  He said the other car did not stop, and he focused his attention on the yellow car and did not get a good look at the other car.

            3.  Your Affiant Thomas investigated the registration records of vehicles registered to Anthony Rowand, and Ronald Neu.  Your Affiant discovered through Dept. of Motor Vehicle records that Ronald Neu had a 1993 white Ford Bronco registered in his name with a VIN # 1FMEU15H5PLB19245. Affiant also discovered through Fla. Dept. of Corrections that Ronald Neu is currently incarcerated.  Affiant discovered through a public records check that a current address listed for Anthony Rowand is 10401 Hazel Avenue, Hudson, Florida, which is owned by Alice Neu, Anthony’s mother.  Ms. Bartlett confirmed to Affiant that “Ron and Tony’s parents lived over off the street right before you get to Hudson High”.  (Cobra Way is a short street that runs north and south from Hudson Avenue and leads into Hudson High School.  Hazel Avenue intersects Cobra Way about half-way between Hudson Avenue and the entrance to the high school parking lot.  Alice Neu’s house is at the corner of Cobra Way and Hazel Avenue). 

            4.  On Monday, December 10, 2007, Affiant and Ms. Gardner traveled to the address of 10401 Hazel Avenue, Hudson, Florida, and observed a white, older model Ford Bronco sitting in disrepair toward the northeast corner of the property.

            Your Affiant believes that Anthony Rowand and Ronald Neu were involved and perhaps caused the crash on June 27, 2006, which killed Quinton Knox and for which Samuel Stockdale has been charged with DUI Manslaughter.  Your Affiant believes that the white Ford Bronco was the vehicle driven by Anthony Rowand and is the vehicle which rammed the yellow car driven by Samuel Stockdale, causing it to veer into the path of the rock truck.  Your Affiant further believes that there may be physical evidence still remaining on the white Bronco which will corroborate Ms. Bartlett’s statements and those of the truck driver, Mr. Richard Fisher.

            WHEREFORE, your Affiant prays that a Search Warrant be issued according to the laws commanding all and singular the Sheriff and/or Deputy Sheriffs of Pasco County, Florida, or a Trooper of the Florida Highway Patrol, either in the daytime or the nighttime, with the proper and necessary assistance, to search the property described herein, for the vehicle reasonably suspected of being involved in the illegal activity which is the subject of this warrant, and seize as evidence herein described in order that the evidence may be procured to be used in the prosecution of such person or persons to be involved in the illegal activity as alleged.

DATED THIS ________ day of December, 2007.

                                                                                               
                                                                            J. D. THOMAS, Investigator
                                                                            Sixth Judicial Circuit
                                                                            Public Defender’s Office

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME this ______ day of December, 2007.

                                                                                                                                                                                              Notary public

My Commission expires:

Documents submitted in support of this affidavit and application for search warrant are as follows:

            1.         Property Appraiser website record pertaining to parcel #30-24-17-0010-00000-0640.

            2.         DAVID Individual summary page regarding Alice Neu.

            3.         DAVID Individual summary page regarding Anthony Thomas Rowand.

            4.         Vehicle owner information for white Ford Bronco.

            5.         Lexis Information summary relating associations between Alice Neu, Ronald Neu, and Anthony Rowand.

**************************************************************************************

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA

SEARCH WARRANT

STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF PASCO

TO THE SHERIFF AND/OR DEPUTY SHERIFF OF PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND ANY TROOPER OF THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL

            The attached Affidavit for Search Warrant coming on to be heard and the Court having examined the Affiant under oath and having been satisfied that the facts as alleged do exist and that the law is being violated as alleged, a Search Warrant is hereby allowed and issued to search the premises described in the Affidavit for Search Warrant:  to wit:

              10401 Hazel Avenue, Hudson, Pasco County, Florida, and is further described as a single story, single family dwelling house located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Hazel Avenue and Cobra Way in an unincorporated area of Pasco County.  The structure is a cream-colored brick dwelling with a white garage door and a brownish-colored roof.  The property is enclosed by a six-foot tall chainlink fence which runs along the southern, western, and northern boundaries of the property.  Along the eastern property line is a chainlink fence and overgrown with weeds and shrubs.  The driveway is paved, and there are gates for access at the driveway, as well as a gate at the sidewalk leading to the front door.  The house faces Hazel Avenue, and the attached garage is at the southeast corner of the dwelling, also facing Hazel Avenue.  There is a mailbox on Hazel Avenue in front of the property with the numbers “10401” on it.  The property consists of the dwelling situated towards the southwest corner of the 2.14 acres. There are four utility buildings also on the property, three of which are made of wood and one is metal.   A fifth-wheel camper/trailer is parked along the eastern fence line, toward the southern edge of the property. There is a white Ford Bronco near the northeast corner of the property which does not appear to be operable and does not have a license plate attached.  It is facing west.  There is a dirt driveway which runs north and south immediately to the east of the eastern property line of the subject property.  This dwelling is in the care, custody and control of Alice Neu, according to the tax rolls of Pasco County and is further described as parcel identification number 30-24-17-0010-00000-0640, Pasco County, Florida.  According to the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s records, the subject property also has a second address listed as 10339 Hazel Avenue.

            THESE PRESENTS, THEREFORE, are to command you with the necessary and proper assistance as the exigencies of the occasion may demand or require, either in the daytime or the nighttime, and on any day of the week, including Sunday, in or on said premises and the curtilages thereof, there to diligently search for the herein described WHITE FORD BRONCO, VIN # 1FMEU15H5PLB19245, and to seize said vehicle in order to obtain paint scrapings and measurements and to photograph and examine the vehicle.

            YOU ARE ORDERED  to allow representatives from the Public Defender’s Office, Sixth Judicial Circuit to be present during the execution of the warrant.

            YOU ARE FURTHER ORDERED to deliver a true copy of this Search Warrant with an inventory of the property seized to any person to be in control of the above described residence, and in the absence of such person, to leave a copy of this Search Warrant with an inventory of the property seized at the above described residence. 

DONE AND ORDERED THIS ______ DAY OF DECEMBER, 2007.

                                                                        _______________________________
                                                                        CIRCUIT JUDGE THANE B. COVERT

Special Projects

Interrogation Model

Our Public Defender's Office is working on methodology to track cases from arrest to conclusion regarding law enforcement interrogation techniques.

We are fortunate to have the assistance of Dr. Richard Ofshe, nationally renowned expert on police interrogation as a consultant on some cases and testifying expert in others. He has been an advisor as to the framework for our model.

Our goal is to screen all homicide and capital sexual battery cases to single out the ones requiring detailed work concerning interrogation. We also are making strides in keeping records of general interrogation practices in these cases.

Over the years, as to be expected we have had some notable victories, as well as resounding defeats. But the victories have set some people free and the defeats are currently being appealed.



2004 National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, Pinellas Chapter IRIS Award Winner:

Ray Williams, Public Defenders Office: for years of service and commitment to improving the lives of persons with mental illness.

THE PINELLAS COUNTY COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
 COMMUNITY APPRECIATION AWARDS APRIL 22, 2005

Community Service and Leadership Award
presented to Bob Dillinger, Public Defender

Special Recognition Award presented to
Public Defender Mental Health Division



PINELLAS COUNTY COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS

FRED G. MINNIS DIVERSITY AWARD

The Fred G. Minnis Sr. Bar Association presented its annual
diversity awards to Pinellas Pasco Public Defender BOB DILLINGER
and to the law firm Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell last
week in appreciation of commitment to and support of diversity.

The third annual scholarship and awards banquet took place
March 7, 2006 at St. Petersburg's Stetson College of Law.



2006 NAMI HUMANITARIAN AWARD

October 7, 2006, the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, Pinellas Chapter, (NAMI) presents its Humanitarian Award to the Public Defender Office, 6th Judicial Circuit.