A Highlands County murder case is on hold while the killer’s mental state is questioned. Twenty-nine-year-old Britney Lee Andrus, convicted of beating 88-year-old James Little to death and stealing his car and valuables, was set to be sentenced Tuesday. Instead, her attorney asked for a psychiatric evaluation, saying she’s been confused since a change in her jail medications. Judge David Ward agreed and ordered the evaluation to determine if she’s competent to be sentenced. Her co-defendant, Tyler Best, has already pleaded guilty and testified against her.
A DeSoto County Sheriff’s official says suspects Matthew Wright and Gavin McMillan are facing animal cruelty and other related charges after a cow was found fatally shot dead in the head at a farm. Wright admitted to deputies he had a 9MM Glock handgun and to shooting the cow. Officials say McMillan permitted deputies to search his vehicle and they found marijuana and a grinder. The heifer may be worth 45-thousand dollars and McMillan is working on the farm to help cover losses.
A Polk County Realtor association is “on the ropes” after detectives say its former CEO treated the books like her own piggy bank. Sheriff Grady Judd says 53-year-old Jennifer Garula-Mers helped herself to more than $81,000 at the East Polk County Association of Realtors — quietly boosting her own salary, slipping in extra payroll checks, bonuses, padded retirement contributions, and personal charges on the company card. It all started to unravel when then-president RJ Webb began questioning the numbers and was brushed off as a troublemaker. Now Garula-Mers is in jail with no bond, charged with grand theft. Or as Judd put it: “She needs to sit in jail. She’s a thief. She’s a con. She’s a crook.”
A local shop is helping brighten the holidays for veterans in need. Lake Placid Western Wear is hosting the “Remembering Our Heroes This Holiday” gift drive, working with Veterans Services of Highlands County. Just stop by the store, take a tag, buy a gift, and return both by December 20th. Lake Placid Western Wear is on U.S. Highway 27 South in Lake Placid and open Tuesday through Friday 9 to 5, and Saturdays 9 to 3.