8 LE FLORIDIEN - • April 16 - 30, <strong><strong>20</strong>13</strong> ADVERTISEMENT
LE FLORIDIEN • April 16 - 30, <strong><strong>20</strong>13</strong> Mayor Candidate Claims Voodoo Curse NORTH MIAMI, Fla., (UPI) — A Florida woman running for mayor says someone is targeting her using sorcery rituals from the Haitian voodoo religion. Anna Pierre, one of eight candidates running for mayor of North Miami, said she has found evidence on her office doorstep including chicken feathers, food scraps and candles during the past three months, The Miami Herald reported Tuesday. “I found little dolls with needles in it. They put a lot of pennies at front of my office door,” she said. “I’m from Haiti. I know what it is.” Pierre said she has also been getting anonymous calls to her phone telling her to drop out of the race. “I have people in Haiti, Canada, and the U.S. praying for me,” she said. “I have Jesus with me.” Pierre said she will not be frightened into leaving the race. “They can put all the voodoo they want,” she said. “I’m a Christian woman. I’m not scared.” Male body found in canal on Southwest 8th street and Turnpike SWEETWATER, Fla. - Miami-Dade Crime Scene is investigating after a body was found floating in a canal near Sweetwater. The canal is located at Tamiami Trail and Florida’s Turnpike on Sunday. The body was spotted in the water underneath an elevated ramp that takes drivers from the eastbound lanes of southwest 8th street to the Turnpike northbound. Investigators say the deceased man was recently reported missing. However, no name has been released. As of Sunday afternoon, no foul play was suspected. As Kemp continued northbound, FHP said the Mercedes struck the <strong>Le</strong>xus' right side at a high rate of speed. Both vehicles went through the raised grass median and into the westbound lanes. Debris struck a third vehicle in its left side. FHP said the three rear passengers in the <strong>Le</strong>xus were ejected from the vehicle and came to a rest on the westbound shoulder. The vehicle overturned and came to a stop on the westbound shoulder facing east. The driver of the <strong>Le</strong>xus, identified by FHP as 21year-old Jason Mahlung, died after being transported to St. Mary's Medical Center. Officials said the passengers who were ejected from the <strong>Le</strong>xus, 14-year-old Makita Campbell, 17-yearold Shonteria Grimsley and 17-year-old Christina Joseph, died at the scene. According to FHP, the three passengers were not wearing seat belts. A 22-year-old passenger also riding in the <strong>Le</strong>xus, who hasn't been identified by FHP, also died at the scene. Kemp was also transported to St. Mary's and is currently listed in serious condition. FHP says charges are pending at this time. The driver of the third vehicle that was hit by debris was not injured. AROUND FLORIDA Man found with gunshot wound in courtyard of apartment <strong>com</strong>plex, says police HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - Police are investigating a homicide after a <strong>20</strong>-year-old man was found inside his home after being shot. Hollywood police responded Saturday after 3 a.m. after receiving several 911 calls regarding gunshots heard at an apartment <strong>com</strong>plex in the 2800 block of Fillmore Street. Upon arrival, officers found Richard Biennestin, <strong>20</strong>, with a gunshot wound in a courtyard area of the apartment <strong>com</strong>plex. Biennestin was transported by Hollywood Fire Rescue personnel to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, where police say he was later pronounced dead. No other information has been released at this time as the investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hollywood Police Department at 954-967-HELP, or call Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477). FHP: 1 dead, 19 injured on Florida's Turnpike OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - Florida Highway Patrol troopers were investigating a rollover accident Saturday that killed one person and injured 19 others. Police have identified the woman who was killed in the crash as 46-year-old Merlande Chery from North Miami. Chery was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers said the passenger van, which was run by GSC Community Involvement Inc. of Miami Gardens, flipped several times on the turnpike in the area of Kenansville, located in southern Osceola County. Troopers said a preliminary investigation shows a tire separated, causing the driver to lose control and flip. The driver of the vehicle, who was seriously injured in the accident, has been identified by FHP as 42year-old Willem Camille of Miami. Authorities said five people have been airlifted to various hospitals, including Orlando Regional Medical Center and Holmes Regional Medical Center and everyone else was taken by ambulance to six other hospitals. The van was headed north on the Turnpike, toward Orlando. The crash remains under investigation at this time. Police: 2 shot in drive-by shooting in Homestead Records show Miramar mayor Lori Moseley went eight months without paying her water bill MIRAMAR, Fla. - The mayor of Miramar's water bill shows chronic delinquency, but her water has never been turned off. Records show Lori Moseley went eight months without paying her water bill for her Silver Lakes neighborhood home. "My family went through financial difficulties," said Moseley. SEVENTY BUCKS Tony Pierre, 64, of Boynton Beach went to the Delray Beach home of a 46-year-old man to question him about a $70 debt he said he was owed. An argument ensued and blows were exchanged. The man suffered a busted lip and several of his teeth were knocked out. Police were called but Pierre left the scene prior to their arrival and could not be located. The next day, Pierre turned himself in to police and was charged with aggravated battery. Now he is facing felony charges – all over a disputed $70 debt. Go figure. DEPUTY ARRESTED Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy Jaime Miranda, 30, was arrested after being caught in an undercover drug sting by his own department. He was on duty and in his marked patrol car at the Winn Dixie shopping center on Big Pine Key when the sting occurred. He is accused of buying what he thought were 10 oxycodone pills from undercover detectives. A search of Miranda’s patrol car turned up the fake pills, as well as 12 hydromorphone tablets inside the glove box, police reported. A pipe with marijuana residue was also taken from his pockets, the report said. Miranda is facing multiple drugrelated charges and has been suspended without pay. Officer suspended after internal investigation CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (WSVN) -- The Coral Springs Police Department will discipline one of its own officer after a 7News investigation first raised questions about an incident involving a senior citizen. It started with flat tires and ended up with the officer cursing, and the driver in jail. Officer Nicole Stasnek is expected to be suspended for 80 hours after an internal affairs investigation found Stasnek was not courteous, and did not tell the truth about the arrest of a 60-year-old woman. As 7News reported, the incident was caught on tape and sworn statements and police reports conflicted with that recording. The Internal Affairs Investigation cleared a second officer connected to the case. Miami Police detective under investigation MIAMI (WSVN) -- A Miami Police detective who was caught on video punching the family member of a murder victim is now under investigation by internal affairs. Fernando Bosch is facing punishment from the department, but remains on active duty during the investigation. Bosch is one of many officers who tried to get the man away from the crime scene at Northwest 22nd Advertise Advertise and Support Suppor the HAITIAN PRESS Call: 305.610.7481 305.610.7481 www.lefloridien.<strong>com</strong> 9