EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is investigating a crash that killed a motorcyclist before daybreak Monday.
The motorcyclist was riding a 2001 Suzuki motorcycle northbound on U.S. Highway 441, north of David Walker Drive around 6:30 a.m. when he was struck by a black GMC pickup truck attempting to make a left turn into Eustis Village shopping plaza, EPD Capt. Ken Toler told Inside Lake. The plaza contains Publix, Sonic and numerous other restaurants and retail businesses.
The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased on the scene; his name has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. The driver of the truck was not injured. Tavares Police Department assisted with traffic control and the crash closed a portion of U.S. Highway 441 for more than three hours.
TAVARES, Fla.—Tavares Police Department is investigating after a man and woman were found dead of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in their home Tuesday, and police believe a generator is to blame.
TPD received a call requesting a well-being check around 1:45 p.m. on Perry Leintz, 67, and Constance Albrecht, 87, at their home at 24 Holly Drive in the Tiki Village Mobile Park off Dead River Road, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan said. Road patrol officers responded to the home and found the couple deceased, and a generator in their shed that was connected to the home.
PHOTO: Tavares Police Department
“There were no indications of foul play,” Sullivan said.
The medical examiner responded to the scene and both Leintz and Albrecht showed signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, but TPD will have to await the conclusion of their autopsies to confirm, Sullivan said.
Two different neighbors told police they expressed concerns to Leintz about the generator being so close to the home, fearing carbon monoxide may leak into the home, Sullivan said. The couple lost power during Hurricane Milton, and neighbors last spoke to them Thursday.
The American Red Cross suggests these safety tips while using a generator:
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area.
• Keep these devices outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
• Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home. Although CO can’t be seen or smelled, it can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY – DO NOT DELAY.
• Install CO alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide. Test the batteries frequently and replace when needed.
• If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.
TAVARES, Fla.— The woman charged with the horrific murder of her boyfriend’s daughter earlier this year is now facing the death penalty.
Assistant State Attorney Thomas Wieczorek filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty Oct. 8 in the case against Tyshael Martin, of Montverde, and stated five aggravating factors in the case.
The capital felony was committed while the defendant was engaged, or was an accomplice, in the commission of, or an attempt to commit aggravated child abuse.
The capital felony was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
The capital felony was a homicide and was committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification.
The victim of the capital felony was a person less than 12 years of age.
The victim of the capital felony was particularly vulnerable because the defendant stood in a position of familial or custodial authority over the victim.
Martin, 35, is accused of ordering a 103-pound Rottweiler to attack 9-year-old Jamaria Sessions and savagely kicking and beating the girl during a reign of abuse that lasted from October 2023 until she died in June, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case.
Martin was arrested Aug. 28, for first degree murder, aggravated child abuse and child neglect. Jamaria’s father, Lojuan Sessions, was arrested just a few days later in Orange County; he is charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and both suspects are being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond.
Video surveillance in the home captured the torture and abuse of the once-smiley 9-year-old who loved animals and yearned to be a veterinarian.
Jamaria Sessions dreamed of being a veterinarian, Grandma Althea Chenault said. Photo courtesy of Althea Chenault
According to the affidavit, Vivint Security provided more than 2,800 videos from inside and outside of the home to Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives. Six video files dated June 15 and timestamped between 11:50 p.m. and 11:57 p.m. showed both Martin and the large dog attacking Jamaria. The following information was taken directly from the affidavit:
(Videos show) “Jamaria Sessions being viciously attacked by the family pet, a 103-pound male rottweiler as Jamaria was just out of frame, however, Tyshael Martin could be seen holding the leash of the dog and is heard encouraging the dog to bite Jamaria Sessions as Jamaria laid on the floor, ending with Jamaria Sessions attempting to stand up in the doorway coming into frame. The next clips show Jamaria Sessions staggering, nude and disheveled. Jamaria’s hair, previously in a partial bun, was now messy, and her extensions were falling out of her hair. It appeared that the dog had bitten the child’s head, pulling at her hair, at the command of Tyshael Martin. Following this clip, Jamaria Sessions is commanded to stand in the room with her arms up by Tyshael Martin. Jamaria Sessions exhibited an orbital sway, appearing to be disorientated, similar to being intoxicated, and leaned forward to pick up a blanket to cover herself. This prompted Tyshael Martin to deliver a kick to the rear of the child causing her to collapse to the floor. The child lay motionless, moaning in pain, as Tyshael Martin continued to kick her hip and eventually her stomach area at full force. When the child did not get up, Tyshael Martin then grabbed the child by her hair, pulling her across the floor, with minimal resistance by Jamaria Sessions, who appeared to be disorientated and motionless. The child was dragged near the stairs, which is where the dog attack occurred, which was just out of frame. Tyshael Martin continued to command the child, Jamaria Sessions, to stand up, and as Jamaria physically could not comply, Jamaria was repeatedly struck and shaken by Tyshael Martin. The next video clip begins with Tyshael Martin stating what sounds like, ‘I’m fixing to kill her.’”
Jamaria was found dead less than 30 hours later.
Shortly before 5 a.m. June 17, Lake EMS responded to 16017 Harbar Oaks Drive, Montverde, Martin and Sessions’ home, on a report of an unresponsive child. The would-be fourth grader was pronounced deceased by Lake EMS, and they observed multiple injuries to Jamaria including a “significant” number of abrasions, small punctures, burns, possible bite marks and bruising covering her body, all in various stages of healing. Lake EMS requested the Lake County Sheriff’s Office respond after noting rigor mortis in Jamaria’s jaw. According to Florida State University, if a body feels cold and stiff, death likely occurred between 8 and 36 hours prior.
During an on-scene preliminary exam of Jamaria by the medical examiner, injuries were noted all over her small body, consistent with abuse. These injuries included superficial lacerations indicative of being pinched with significant force, her face was swollen, some of her teeth were broken, she had blood in her left ear along with a penetration wound behind her ear, and contusions all over her body. On June 18, during Jamaria’s autopsy, the medical examiner noted the number of superficial injuries covering the majority of her body, and advised it appeared to be torture inflicted by fingernails and injuries consistent with being struck by something, possibly wire.
Tyshael Martin was arraigned on Sept. 23. PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake
On Sept. 23, Martin and Session were indicted by a grand jury and Inside Lake was in the courtroom when Martin pleaded not guilty to the crimes she is accused of. She claimed to have a meeting scheduled with an attorney, but three weeks later, she still did not have an attorney, according to Lake County Clerk of Court online records. Martin was ordered not to have contact with Jamaria’s next of kin, Althea Chenault, who was at the arraignment with her son, Trane.
Jamaria and her younger sister, Jaliah, lived with Chenault, their maternal grandmother, and their mother, Tadrina Dort while she battled leukemia. Dort beat the leukemia but later died in 2022 from congestive heart failure. The girls continued to live Chenault after their mother’s death and while Sessions was incarcerated on multiple charges, including child neglect. Sessions had little to do with his two daughters prior to his incarceration, and Chenault told Inside Lake she was shocked when he picked the girls up from their Orange County school in October 2023 without her permission. He would not allow her to see her grandchildren and Chenault has questioned why Sessions was allowed to take the girls but has never been given a thorough explanation, she said. “Nana,” as she was known to the girls, immediately began fighting for permanent custody following her daughter’s death and is still fighting for Jaliah, who is currently living with another maternal family member.
Jamaria, left, Althea “Nana” Chenault and Jaliah. Photo courtesy of Althea Chenault
LEESBURG, Fla.—The 87-year-old victim of a shooting in late September has died and two Leesburg men have been arrested for his murder, according to Leesburg Police Department.
Clarence Ervin, 87, of Leesburg was shot shortly before 2:45 p.m. Sept. 28, at 2101 West Main Street, as he sat in a car at a gas pump, video released by LPD showed. Ervin was transported to an area hospital and later died from his injuries on Oct. 6, LPD Lt. Shannon Walsh said.
On Friday, Kenneth D. Bailey, 22, and Craig A. Stevenson Jr., 22, were arrested on charges of capital murder and aggravated battery on a person over 65, Walsh said. They were booked into the Lake County Jail and are being held on no bond.
The third person involved in the murder has been identified, Walsh said, and detectives are working with the State Attorney’s Office to obtain an arrest warrant.
OCALA NATIONAL FOREST—A Sorrento man has died after crashing a dirt bike Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Around 11:10 a.m., the 59-year-old man was riding a 2022 KTM Dirt Bike on a dirt road in the Ocala National Forest when he crashed into two trees and was thrown from the bike, FHP said. Troopers did not release an exact location.
The man was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, where he was pronounced deceased.
SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—A bicyclist was killed Friday night after he turned in front of a truck on State Road 50 near Mascotte and Groveland, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Shortly before 9:30 p.m., a 30-year-old man was riding a bicycle on Anderson Street, when he turned into the direct path of a 2021 Chevy Silverado being driven eastbound on State Road 50 by a 67-year-old man of San Antonio, Texas, FHP said.
The man was thrown from the bicycle and pronounced deceased on the scene; the Texas man was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.
EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is investigating after multiple shots were fired just after noon Saturday while dozens of youth cheerleaders and football players enjoyed their Saturday game day just a few blocks away.
EPD received multiple calls about shots fired beginning at 12:01 p.m. Saturday and callers believed the shots were at Carver Park and officers rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the shots actually occurred on Wall Street between Virginia Avenue and Hollywood Avenue after finding multiple shell casings and speaking with witnesses, Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. Carver Park is on Bates Avenue, and a gate to the back of the park is on Virginia Avenue. No one was injured in the shooting, but a bullet did go through a fence and the back window of a home on Virginia Avenue.
Detectives and EPD’s crime scene investigator responded to the scene and investigated for more than three hours, Capri said. No suspect information was released, and Capri expressed his disgust that anyone would fire shots so close to where children were gathered, referring to the suspects as “idiots.”
“We have zero tolerance for gun violence in our city,” Capri said.
PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake
The shots startled coaches, parents and kids at the Eustis Jr. Panthers field at Carver Park. A coach from a Lakeland team retrieved a firearm from his vehicle to protect his family, he told police, and the sight of the firearm caused an altercation at the park. Officers then responded back to the park and detained the coach. He was questioned and released. Inside Lake is not naming the man because he was not charged with a crime. For safety reasons, EPD canceled the remainder of the games for the day, Capri said.
If you have information on Saturday’s shooting, call EPD at 352-357-4121 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Crimeline callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
TAVARES, Fla.—The woman accused of helping mastermind an ambush attack on Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies may pay for her crimes with her life.
Fifth Judicial Circuit Assistant State Attorney Kenneth Nunnelley filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty late Tuesday afternoon in the case against Julie Sulpizio.
Sulpizio, 48, is accused of starting an altercation with her neighbors on Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis on Aug. 2. LCSO responded to the altercation and during a well-being check at her home, just down the street from the original call, Master Deputy Bradley Link was shot and suffered fatal wounds. In an immediate rescue attempt of Link, K9 Master Deputy Harold Howell was shot in the wrist and in a subsequent rescue attempt, Deputy Stefano Gargano was shot multiple times. Howell and Gargano have since been released from the hospital and continue to recover from their injuries.
Evidence at the scene revealed Julie’s husband, Michael, and daughters, Cheyenne and Savannah, opened fire on the deputies and all three were found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after LCSO’s SWAT made entry to the home.
Sulpizio is facing a multitude of charges, including principal to first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, three counts of principal to attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of battery and one count of battery on a law enforcement officer.
Sulpizio is being held on no bond at an undisclosed detention center and has pleaded not guilty.
LEESBURG, Fla.—Leesburg Police Department has released two videos capturing the people suspected in the gas station shooting of an 87-year-old man.
One video shows the suspects walking across the parking lot of Citgo, 2101 West Main Street, and the second shows the incident occurring around 2:40 p.m. Saturday, LPD Sgt. Shannon Walsh said.
Two suspects approached the passenger side of the vehicle, while another suspect approached the driver side, where the victim was sitting. During a confrontation, the victim was shot and all three suspects fled.
The victim, whose name has not been released, was transported to an area hospital and underwent surgery Saturday night, Walsh said.
Anyone with information on the shooting can call LPD at 353-787-2121 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Crimeline callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
LEESBURG, Fla.—Leesburg Police Department is searching for three suspects who they say are involved in the shooting of an 87-year-old man.
LPD responded to Citgo, 2101 West Main Street on a report of a shooting around 2:40 p.m. Saturday, LPD. Sgt. Shannon Walsh said. Two suspects approached the passenger side of the vehicle, while another suspect approached the driver side, where the victim was sitting. During a confrontation, the victim was shot and all three suspects fled.
The victim, whose name has not been released, was transported to an area hospital and underwent surgery Saturday night, Walsh said.
Anyone with information on the shooting can call LPD at 353-787-2121 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Crimeline callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
