PAGE 3 - June 1, 2011
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Amvets 447 Remembers Our Heroes
Manslaughter Charge - Continued from page 1
Special to The Newscaster by Doug Johnston
identified the stabbing victim as 24 year old, Roderic L. Sparks of Crystal River. Emergen-
The William Crow Amvets Post 447 in Inglis held a Memorial Day ceremony
cy personnel were working on the victim and an eye witnesses advised that the person that
Monday to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country: Those
stabbed him was in a blue Jeep. Citizens blocked the suspects with their vehicle preventing
American soldiers who fought for their country on distant shores, but never returned to their
the suspect from leaving the scene.
families and loved ones. The ceremony was attended by about 75 Post 447 members, friends
Witnesses identified 15 year old, Christopher Sutherlin as the suspect. The inves-
and community members.
tigation revealed that Christopher J Sutherlin’s father was involved in verbal altercation
Post Chaplin Art Aho opened the ceremony with the invocation. His message was
with the victim about revving his engine. Sutherlin Sr. threw a beer can at the victim, which
for us not to forget our fallen soldiers and appreciate what they have died for: Our freedom.
resulted in a physical confrontation. The victim was getting the best of the Sutherlin Sr.
Post Commander Joe Hozian gave a brief speech before Amvet members Bobby Miller and
and his son, Sutherlin Jr., with the use of a knife stabbed the victim in the upper torso. The
Larry Meadows raised an American flag to half mast to honor those fallen soldiers, then they
victim was transported to Seven Rivers hospital where he was pronounced dead.
ran the flag to full staff.
Efforts to locate the murder weapon were unsuccessful last night. It is believed that
Hozian also gave a short history of the career of William Crow for whom the post
the murder weapon was thrown in the mud pit and the Horse Hole Mud Boggs has been shut
is named. Crow, whose parents were Inglis residents, was wounded in Iraq and returned
down.
home for treatment. He volunteered to return for a second tour in Iraq and was killed by
On May 29, 2011 Investigators resumed the search for the murder weapon and
enemy fire. He is buried in Abilene Texas and left behind a wife and two children. Chuck
located the knife in the mud pit. Sutherlin Jr. was been charged with manslaughter.
Pickett also made a short speech honoring those who have served and are currently serving.
Defendant: Christopher J Sutherlin,7848 Fashion Loop,New Port Richey, Fl.
Lisa Flanders, president of the Ladies Auxiliary for Amvets reminded the gathering of Am-
Williston Man Arrested at Mud Bogg
vets and their friends and families of the need to educate our youth to put politics aside and
commit themselves to their community and be ready to defend our country.
While working the Horse Hole Mud Boggs Deputy Willie Barnes
Flanders also mentioned those Amvet Post 447 members who have recently passed
observed a white male inside the park yelling and screaming at his girl-
on. After the ceremony, which took place by the flag pole in front of the Amvets building,
friend. The defendant, Anthony Dale Musslewhite had been drinking all
the participants enjoyed a meal with typical American fare: Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken
day and was very intoxicated.
wings and lots of trimmings. Entertainment was provided by Karaoke by Buzz.
Barnes advised Musslewhite to calm down several times and re-
turn to his tent. Musslewhite refused to calm down and began screaming
and disturbing other citizens that were attempting to sleep.
Musslewhite was placed under arrest for disorderly intoxication
and transported to the Levy County Jail.
Musslewhite
Inglis traffic stop ends with court date
A traffic stop by the Inglis PD that was made on a woman leaving Rival’s Bar,
on Hwy. 40 West just after 11:00 p.m., May 22, resulted in the woman being arrested on
a charge of possession of paraphernalia. During the traffic stop, the officer found a hypo-
dermic needle. According to the report, the driver, Nicole “Nicky” Michele Fain, 34, 588
Hwy. 40 West, Inglis, said the needle belonged to her, and she had used it earlier to shoot up
roxicodone (a controlled substance). Fain was issued a Notice to Appear, with a mandatory
court date of June 7 at the Levy County Courthouse, then released at the scene.
Fiery Crash - Continued from page 1
on fire and was engulfed in flames. The Ford came to rest in the center turn lane of the road,
west of the area of collision. Two passersby stopped and removed Deputy Marra from the
burning patrol unit. Deputy Marra was transported to Shands at the University of Florida
Hospital in Gainesville with serious injuries, including a fractured femur and tibia which
required surgery. Mayes, the driver of the Ford, sustained no injuries.
It is unknown why the patrol car burst into flames with Marra still in the vehicle.
Last year, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office purchased Rhino grill guards for every patrol
car. The investigation revealed that the bumper guards saved Marra’s life by absorbing
L-R Wayne Guthrie, Bobby Miller, Lisa Flanders, Joe Hozian and Larry Meadows. Flanders giv-
much of the energy of the impact, preventing the engine from being pushed through the
ing short dedication to our fallen veterans and those William Crow Post members who have
firewall and into Marra’s lap. The bumper guards, which cost less than $400, were installed
passed away since the post was founded. Inset Photo: Ruth Ruppert plays taps at the Memo-
on every patrol car in the Levy County fleet.
rial day ceremony. Photo by Kathie Johnston
Both drivers were wearing seat belts. The patrol unit was completely burned with
the damage estimated at $25,000. The damage to the Ford was estimated at $1,000. No cita-
tions have been issued at this time, but the investigation is still ongoing.
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