Dontae Morris is on trial in a Tampa courtroom for the murder of Rodney Jones in May of 2010. The murder happened outside of the Cotton club as people were leaving from a night of fun and singing. Prosecutors say Morris was out for revenge that night and killed Jones during a robbery.
Assistant State Attorney Scott Harmon says Morris was also out to settle an old score with Jones and was looking for him that night. Harmon told jurors," You will see from the evidence in this case, this wasn't just an attempted robbery, this wasn't just an attempt to rob Rodney Jones, this was premeditated murder." Harmon says Jones was flashing a lot of cash that night in the Cotton Club and Morris noticed.
During the first day of testimony in the case witnesses told jurors, they noticed Morris at the Cotton Club that night because he stood out in the crowd. High School teacher Linda Johnson says she noticed Rodney Jones because he was holding a large wad of cash.
Johnson says when she went outside, she heard gunfire and saw people running. Morris's defense attorney says even though people saw his client at the Cotton Club, none of them can say they saw Morris kill Jones that night.
Defense attorney Byron Hileman told jurors, "None of them could say that they saw and could identify who shot and killed Rodney Jones." The state says Morris texted a girlfriend after the murder to try and establish an alibi. Jurors are expected to see those texts during the course of the trial.
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"
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.
Monday, May 13 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-13 17:43:13 GMT
Humans have come a long way since the days of the caveman, but a new diet is looking to the past for healthy inspiration. It's often called the paleo diet, or the caveman diet.
Humans have come a long way since the days of the caveman, but a new diet is looking to the past for healthy inspiration. It's often called the paleo diet, or the caveman diet.
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
