Ocala courts: Charges filed in several major felony cases
Here's a look at some cases that were addressed the week of April 1 at the Marion County Judicial Center.
State v. Joseph Edward Horrighs, Johnny Martell, Christopher Gajuan Simmons and Mary Pate Wise
Judge: Retired Circuit Judge Willard Pope
Lawyers: Kathryn Hamilton for the Public Defender's Office and Assistant State Attorney Wynn Vickers.
Hearing: Arraignments in these unrelated cases were held April 2. These hearings are conducted so defendants can know what charges have been filed against them.
What are their charges? Horrighs is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Darius Duntel Jones, 55, in 2023. Martell was charged for his alleged participation in ATM thefts from businesses. Simmons is accused of sexual misconduct with an inmate or offender at a prison facility. And Wise was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death and injuries.
Do the defendants have lawyers? Yes and no. Court records show Simmons is represented by Yvens Pierre-Antoine and Wise's lawyer is James John Croley from the Public Defender's Office. Horrighs and Martell have no lawyers.
Are the defendants in or out of jail? Both Horrighs and Wise are being held without bail. Simmons and Martell have been released after posting bond.
What's next? Simmons, Horrighs, Martell and Wise will appear in front of a judge for pre-trial hearings.
State v. David Martinez
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney Katrina Self and David Mengers for the defense.
Charges: Three counts of sexual battery and four counts of lewd lascivious molestation on a victim younger than 12.
Hearing: On April 3, Mengers asked the court for bail for his client, who's behing held on pre-trial detention.
Judge: Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon.
Did Martinez get bail? No. Mengers told the court Martinez is not a threat to the community, has no criminal history and is a fine and upstanding citizen.
Marion County Sheriff's Office Detective Jordyn Batts told the court that Martinez is accused of molesting two girls on multiple occasions. Mengers asked the detective if there was any physical evidence and was told no.
Mengers said there were no complaints or background information indicating Martinez had sexually abused any other children.
The judge said based on Martinez's arrest report, testimony presented in court, the severity of the charges and the potential risk to the community, bail would be denied.
About the case: Prosecutors were successful in indicting Martinez on the sexual offenses late last month. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison. Under a new law, Martinez's case was presented to a grand jury, which is similar to someone charged with first-degree murder. In this case, prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.
What's next? No hearing date has been set. Arrested March 13, Martinez will remain locked up at the county jail for now.
State v. Kevin Latrell Coleman
Charges: Two counts of principal to evidence tampering and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Defense lawyer: Gregg Brennan.
Judge: Circuit Judge Robert Hodges.
Why was Coleman in court? For a bail hearing held April 3.
The outcome? The judge granted $70,000 bail for the 29-year-old Silver Springs Shores man. If he posts bond, Coleman cannot contact those involved in the case. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 5.
About the case: Coleman and several other people were taken into custody in late 2023 in connection with the shooting death of Jose Valliant, 28, of Belleview in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant.
According to Ocala police detectives, the victim was shot over a drug deal gone bad. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died. Detectives have arrested the persons they say were directly involved in the shooting. Coleman and a woman were also arrested and accused of tampering with evidence.
State v. Maynor Orfilio Escobar-Hernandez
Judge: Retired County Judge Sarah Ritterhoff Williams.
Charge: Hit-and-run/fail to stop/remain at crash involving death, and drive while license suspended/death/serious injury.
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney Kevin Steiniger and Assistant Public Defender Zachary Frye-Lofley.
Hearing: Escobar-Hernandez was booked into the jail on April 4 and made his first appearance on April 5.
What happened at the hearing? Through a Spanish interpreter, Escobar-Hernandez, 31, told the judge his family is planning to hire a lawyer. He told the judge he has been living in Marion County for 10 years and working here for less than five years.
The judge denied bail, stating that, according to his arrest report, the defendant fled the country after the crash. The judge told Escobar-Hernandez he's a flight risk.
20 years: 20 years in prison for woman charged with child sex crime
About the case: Florida Highway Patrol troopers had a warrant for Escobar-Hernandez's arrest because they believe he was behind the wheel of a vehicle that struck and killed 38-year-old Nathan Manypenny of Ocala last year.
Authorities said Escobar-Hernandez drove away from the scene. Manypenny was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
Troopers said Escobar-Hernandez was apprehended by border agents when he tried crossing the Texas border from Mexico a few months ago. A warrant had been issued for his arrest in the Mannypenny death case.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala judges asked to set bail in multiple major felony cases
