Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 9-18-15 Edition

Features
Commissioners Question Hiring Of Transportation Plan Engineer
Suspect Claims Self Defense In Stabbing Death Of Former USF Athlete
On Wednesday, County Commissioners met to ad- dress the Go Hillsborough Campaign that is requesting a half-cent sales tax increase to cover upgrades in the city’s public transportation system.
Also during Wednesday’s sessions, Commissioners were at odds over the hiring of Transportation Plan Engi- neer Consultant, Beth Leytham by County Admin- istrator Mike Merrill.
“There is a small segment in the community that has in- fluence when it comes to county politics, and they are saying the plan is flawed,” said Commissioner Les Miller.
“There was a lot of discus- sion with the displeasure of having Beth Leytham in- volved, and to my surprise, Commissioner Kevin Beckner wanted an audit, but one had been done in March of this year.”
Comm. Miller said every precaution was taken during the first audit, and he feels his colleagues are folding under the pressure from this small group who don’t want a tax increase.
“I don’t believe we should sit back and allow ourselves to be bullied. Commissioner Sandy Murman wanted to put a stop to the public hear- ings. That didn’t go over well, and for the next two weeks, they will continue because that’s vital.
“The bottom line is we must get a transportation sys- tem in place that’s better than what we have now. We want
COMMISSIONER LES MILLER
to bring major corporations to Tampa, and we must have a viable transportation system to make it work because of the jobs that would be created. How will people get to work, and what happens to those who have to be to work late at night, or are trying to come home from work late at night?”
Comm. Miller explained that Leytham is supposed to have done some campaign work for Mayor Bob Buck- horn and some of the com- missioners. Now, there is an investigation into allegations of some negative things that have been printed about her.
“Beth Leytham is where she is now because of her work with some of the Com- missioners.
“Rather than drag this issue on, I told my colleagues I just want to move forward, because the fact is our public transportation system needs upgrading.”
The man accused of stab- bing two former University of South Florida athletes, one of them fatally, is claiming self- defense, according to his at- torney.
Randolph Graham, 23, was charged in the stabbing death of Elkino Watson and the stabbing of Desmond Horne, who is re- ported to be in stable condi- tion.
Graham’s attorney, Jonathan Hackworth, re- portedly said his client acted in self defense, because he felt threatened by a man nearly twice his size.
During the bond hearing, Judge John Conrad, said there may be some issues with a claim of self-defense. He in- dicated the police report noted that as the two men fought outside the lounge, Graham reportedly had an opportunity to stop stabbing Watson.
Investigators said the fight started when Graham re- portedly punched Watson’s pregnant girlfriend inside the club because she refused to give him her phone number. Watson came to her rescue,
RANDOLPH GRAHAM ... claims he stabbed
victim in self-defense along with Horne, who was
also stabbed.
Graham was released
after posting a bond of $200,000.
State Attorney’s Office spokesperson Mark Cox said their office was concerned about the bond Graham re- ceived and other issues. He also said Graham’s attorney successfully argued his case before the judge to post a bond for his client based on his ties to the community and the defendant virtually had no
ELKINO WATSON ... was fatally
stabbed
prior criminal history.
Cox said the judge denied a
motion by Graham’s attor- ney for a bond reduction, and also he has to post a cash bond to be released.
Graham has a pending case in Pinellas County for a misdemeanor charge of resist- ing arrest without violence. Cox said if Graham is able to come up with the required bond amount, he still wouldn’t be released because of the charge in Pinellas County.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A