Two months ago a jury found Larry Dickey guilty of murdering his wife Bea Dickey in their Plant City home in 2011. On Thursday, the 48 year old man appeared in a Hillsborough County courtroom for sentencing.
Dickey said in court, "I am here to tell you I know it took a life, the reason I can't tell you, I honestly cannot tell you why."
Dickey beat his wife to death with a baseball bat after a night of drinking.
"I don't know what was messed up in my head and my brain that night, but something wasn't right obviously," said Dickey.
He faced anywhere from 20 years to life behind bars. The judge handed down a 40 year sentence.
Bea Dickey's son from her first marriage said even with the sentence, this wasn't a day to celebrate.
Matthew Kirkland said, "I am pretty satisfied at the 40 year sentence I know it won't be completely 40 years but if he gets out when hies 79-80 there is not much you can live after that."
Bea Dickey served as one of Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd's top administrators. A friend who worked with at the sheriff's office called her the best person you'd want to meet, and hoped for a life sentence.
Carrie Eleazer said, "It could have been really bad, it could have been only 20 years and then could have gotten out and had some semblance of a life, but those of us who knew him and knew Bea knew that he deserved to stay in prison the rest of his life and I feel that he will."
While drinking may have played a role in Bea's Dickey death, her son had this advice for others. "Social drinks is fine, but don't let it get too far, when it starts becoming a problem in any relationship you need to get it taken care of."
Monday, May 20 2013 12:54 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:54:08 GMT
A member of MacDill Air Force's medical operations squadron died in a traffic accident, officials from the base said in a statement Monday. Staff Sgt. Cheryl Westbrook was driving in the center lane on
A member of MacDill Air Force's medical operations squadron died in a traffic accident, officials from the base said in a statement Monday.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:40 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:40:22 GMT
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
Monday, May 20 2013 12:37 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:37:39 GMT
Today, Governor Rick Scott signed the 2013-2014 Florida Families First Budget. Below is Governor Scott's letter to Secretary Detzner, followed by links to budget highlights.
Today, Governor Rick Scott signed the 2013-2014 Florida Families First Budget. Below is Governor Scott's letter to Secretary Detzner, followed by links to budget highlights.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:51 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:51:13 GMT
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:25:15 GMT
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:26:21 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:51 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:51:13 GMT
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 09:44:01 GMT
Zack Walker is an 8th grader at Lakeland Montessori He's among the students who plant, tend and watch closely over a small garden outside the Red Door Wine Market in Lakeland.
Zack Walker is an 8th grader at Lakeland Montessori He's among the students who plant, tend and watch closely over a small garden outside the Red Door Wine Market in Lakeland.
Wednesday, May 1 2013 6:01 AM EDT2013-05-01 10:01:55 GMT
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:19:43 GMT
Hank Earl Carr
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:22 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:22:04 GMT
Dr. Reed, Dr. Pilon-Thomas and Dr. Sarnaik of Moffitt Cancer Center receive a check for $150,000 from Rob Shapiro and Jim Sirignano with Swim Across America - Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Larry Dickey in court Wednesday.
