News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 32

THE NEWS-PRESS, LOCAL STATE, SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2007 Delivering memories OBITUARIES FUNERALS MEMORIALS I Information in 'Funerals Memorials' is paid advertising. To place an obituary call 335-0324. Please visit for archived obituaries. WILLIAM RAYMOND ALBRITTON On Nov. 274.20 Bill was laid to rest.

retired from the State of Florida after 25 years and moved back to Fort Myers, he then moved to Live Oak, FL with his companion Charlotte Albrittion until his death. He is survived by his daughter, Viveen Blanchard of Roseville, CA, his sons Michael and Mark Albritton of Tucson, AZ, sister Libby Lawhon of Fort Myers, brother, Doyle Albritton of Atlanta, GA; 7 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother Laurine Rilley, father Carl Albritton brothers Carl (Curly), Horace, and Jack Albritton. AARON A. ALTMAN JANUARY 4, 2007 Aaron A.

Altman passed away January 4, 2007, at Hope Hospice. He 88. Aaron was born on June 24, 1918 in Manhattan, NY to Solomon and Clara Altman. Aaron lived in North Massapequa until 1980 when he moved to Cape Coral, FL later setfling in Fort Myers. Aaron was a congregant of Temple Beth-El and a member the Mid Island Knights Of Pithiest Lodge 828.

Aaron was the owner-operator of Lebannon Trucking. Aaron truly enjoyed life and his passion was his family, boating and dancing. His parents Solomon and Clara Altman and his brother Sidney predecease Aaron. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Lillian. Aaron has three sons George (Louise), Lenorad(Adele) and Mark (Patricia).

Aaron leaves 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 7, El at 16225 Winkler Fort 2007 11:00 at Temple, BethMyers 239 433-0018 Burial will be in New York Funeral arrangements entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home 239 936 0555. JOHN R. GATES JANUARY 3, 2007 John R. Gates, 97, of Lehigh Acres passed away January 3, 2007.

Services are in the care of Anderson Funeral Home, 2701 Lee Lehigh Acres, and will be held on Monday, January 8, 2007. Friends and family will be received from 2-3 PM with funeral services beginning at 3 PM. Burial will follow in Decatur, IL. JOSEPH GOMES JANUARY 3, 2007 Joseph Gomes, 88, of Cape Coral died January 3, 2007, he was born in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts a son of the late Manuel and Annie Gomes. Joseph served in the U.S.

Army during WW Il, he moved to the local area from Milford, in 1978. member of the Disabled American Veterans and enjoyed doing carpentry work. Mr. Gomes is survived by his wife of 63 years Dorothy, his sons and daughters in laws Kenneth and Gomes, Garry and Susan Gomes, his grandchildren Kim, Denise, Roxanne, Kristoffer, David, Garry, Jamie, Melissa, Rise Jason, Monica, Link, Will, great grandchildren Zackary, Benjamin, Jessica, David, Jordan, Jaylynn, Joshua, Austin, Taylor, Daniel, Jacob. A funeral service celebrating his life will be conducted in the Ft.

Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Monday at 11 family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 5-8 PM. Interment with V.F.W of Cape Coral honors will be in Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens 239-936-0555.

RUSSELL A. DECEMBER 31, 2006 Russell "Rusty" Johnson 62, of N.Ft. Myers passed, away December 31,2006. survived by his children Jane Wyzszynski Maryland, Tony Johnson of Cape Coral, William Johnson of Lehigh Acres, Suzanne Johnson of Jacksonville FL and 6 grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held The 1149 Club on 1-7- 07 at P.M.

19:30 Pay Tribute Remember your loved ones with a memorial tribute ad in Obituaries, featured everyday in the Local State section CALL TODAY AND PLACE YOUR IN MEMORIAM AD AT 335.0324 Delivering your world THE NEWS-PRESS Browse obituaries and death notices locally and nationally and remember your loved ones at Guest books Tributes Flowers Memorial gifts No death penalty in homeless killing decision sentence for about a year. It's Ammons, they said, fired pellets Age of co- -defendant key in nice to have that monkey off his from a 1 paintball gun at Gaynor LOIS ANN MANGUS JANUARY 3, 2007 Ann Mangus, 72, formerly of Louisville, passed away peacefully on Jan 3, 2007, in the presence of her husband and all of her children. She was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, was a long time resident of Louisville, KY, retired in Ft. Myers Beach, FL. and was an avid golfer.

Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, she is survived by her husband of 50 years, George Mangus, two brothers Keith Wilke (Wilma), and William Wilke (Linda), three children, Mike Mangus (Suzanne), Steve Mangus (Rhonda), and Karen Mangus Rogers (Terry), and four Grandchildren Daniel, Tessa, Tommy, and Lindsey. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the PearsonA Ratterman Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Rd in Louisville. The family will receive visitors Sunday from 1-7 pm. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Lois's love for dogs, to be to the KY Humane the family, requests donations Society.

BARBARA ANN NELSON JANUARY 1, 2007 Barbara Ann Nelson, 59, of Cape Coral passed away on Monday. Funeral services were held at Abiding Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be to Abiding Lutheran Church. PHYLLLIS J. (ROLLMAN) WRITT DEC.

5, 1941 JAN. 3, 2007 A full time resident of Bonita Springs since 2000, former resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. Born in Bedford, Indiana to Bertis D. Rollman and Ruth E. Mother (Ford) of McHugh.

four living children: James A. Writt 11 (Vicki), Brian E. Writt (Robin), Kelly (Writt) Cooper (Darren) and Stacey L. Writt. Grandmother of 10 grandchildren: Whitney, Brady, Haley, McKenzie, Brandon, Megan, Madalyn, Morgan, Andrew and Alex.

Phyllis enjoyed dancing and walking beautiful Bonita Beach. She held membership in Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary and Singles of Bonita. In lieu of flowers please send a memorial contribution to Hope Hospice (Joann's House) of Bonita Springs. DEATHS The News-Press reports the deaths of area residents free. To place a listing call 335-0324.

LEE COUNTY ANDERSON, GRACE 90, of Lehigh Acres, died Wednesday. Local arrangements by Farley Funeral Home. CORBEIL, ROBERT ALLEN, 80, of North Fort Myers, died Monday. Arrangements by National Cremation Society and Funeral Home. DALTON, HELEN FRANCES, 100, of Lehigh Acres, died Sunday.

Arrangements by National Cremation Society and Funeral Home. HEANEY, VERNA 88, of Lehigh Acres, died Friday. Arrangements by Lee Memorial Park Funeral Home. HEDDLESON, CLIFFORD EARL, 85, of North Fort Myers, died Monday. Arrangements by National Cremation Society and Funeral Home.

ROBITAILLE, RENE 63, of Cape Coral, died Tuesday. Arrangements by Coral Ridge Funeral Home. SCOTT, MARIE JAMES, 87, of Cape Coral, died Tuesday. Arrangements by National Cremation Society and Funeral Home. STINE, DORIS JEANNE, 87, of Cape Coral, died Monday.

Arrangements by National Cremation Society and Funeral Home. SWAB, JAMES 81, of North Fort Myers, died Thursday. Arrangements by HarveyEngelhardt-Metz Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fort Myers. WALSH, ROBERT 81, of Fort Myers, died Thursday. Arrangements by Fort Myers Gardens Funeral Home.

WILLS, JOAN, 66, of North Fort Myers, died Dec. 29. Arrangements by the Metz Chapel of Harvey-EngelhardtMetz Funeral Homes and Crematory, Cape Coral. OUT OF AREA OGDEN, LESLIE ANN, 61, of Crossville, died Sunday. Arrangements by National Cremation Society and Funeral Home.

STEWARD, DOROTHY, 90, of Houston, Texas, died Dec. 17. Arrangements by Brookside Funeral Home, Houston, Texas. The Associated Press FORT LAUDERDALE Three teenagers charged with beating a homeless man to death with a baseball bat as he slept on a park bench won't face the death penalty if convicted, state prosecutors said Friday. William Ammons and Brian Hooks, both 19, were eligible for the death penalty in the killing last January of Norris Gaynor, 45.

But because the third defendant, Thomas Daugherty, was only 17 at the time and cannot be executed because of his age, prosecutors decided not to seek capital punishment for any of them. "As a matter of proportion, it would have been improper for the death penalty to be sought," said Brian Cavanagh, the assistant state attorney prosecuting the case. The trio will now face maximum punishment of life in prison if convicted on firstdegree murder charges for the killing of Gaynor. They are also charged with attempted murder in the beatings the same night of two other homeless men, one of which was captured on a surveillance camera and broadcast around the world, helping detectives crack the case. The parents of Hooks and Ammons declined comment on the state's decision not to seek the death penalty.

But their lawyers said the decision was proper. "It takes courage. They didn't just do something that would have been politically expedient," said attorney Sam Halpern, who represents Ammons. "I'm thrilled. He's been living under the shadow of a possible death back." The U.S.

Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that people convicted of crimes committed when they were under age 18 cannot face execution. The Florida Supreme Court also has ruled that people involved in a crime to a lesser degree than others cannot face a harsher penalty. Cavanagh said that principle was a key factor in the decision. The videotaped beating shows Daugherty striking the victim with a baseball bat while the others cheered him on, and other evidence shows that he also was the one who struck blows on Gaynor. Hooks had a bat but did not use it on Gaynor and was mainly seen trying to "egg on" Daugherty, prosecutors said in a memo explaining their decision.

but did not inflict fatal injuries. "Death cases are different and they are analyzed in a very scrupulous manner by the appellate courts," Cavanagh said. "A death sentence in this case would not be upheld." No trial date has been scheduled. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty and are being held without bail. Prosecutors also continue to investigate links between the three and other attacks on homeless people in Broward County.

Cavanagh told Circuit Judge Cynthia G. Imperato that he wants to have Hooks, Ammons and Daugherty appear in a lineup for possible identification by victims and witnesses in other crimes. Imperato set a hearing for next Friday on that issue after defense attorneys objected. Court asked to suppress statements in Lunsford case The Associated Press INVERNESS Attorneys for the man accused of kidnapping, raping and killing 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford asked a judge Friday to suppress incriminating statements by the defendant as evidence in his murder trial. Circuit Judge Ric Howard did not rule and said he would read case law presented at the hearing and give his decision Monday.

John Evander Couey's trial will be moved to Miami and will begin with jury selection on Feb. 12. He has pleaded not guilty to I ST. PETERSBURG Woman's bra saves her from falling bullet One woman discovered on New Year's Eve that her bra could do more than lift and support when a falling bullet was halted by the bra strap on her left shoulder. Debbie Bingham, 46, an Atlanta resident visiting family in St.

Petersburg, said her goldcolored bra slowed the falling bullet during the holiday celebrations. Her injuries may have been much more severe had it not been for her bra strap, said George Kajtsa, spokesman for the St. Petersburg Police Department. Bingham says she was outside with her daughter and son, ringing in the new year and viewing the local fireworks display when she felt a sharp pain in her left shoulder at 11:40 p.m. It was Bingham's daughter, Solanda Bingham, 30, who first noticed the blood seeping through her mother's white shirt.

"We were sitting at the picnic table and listening to music and my mom said, "Ow, the daughter said. The daughter said she looked over and saw the blood and shouted "My mother's been shot. My mother's been shot." The bullet was halfway inside of Bingham's bra, and the other half barely breaking the skin, Bingham later told WTSPTV. Someone had fired a gun into the air and as the bullet fell back to earth, Bingham was struck. Kajtsa described the wound as a "big scratch with bruising." Bingham was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St.

Petersburg where she was given five stitches. The bullet was lodged in the bra strap and was cut out by doctors. St. Petersburg police still are searching for the shooter to determine whether Bingham was the target of the gunfire or whether she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, Kajtsa said. New bill would put no vote choice on ballots Voters would have the option of choosing none of the above under a bill proposed to avoid confusion over whether people mean to leave ballots blank, an issue at the center of a disputed congressional elec- charges of first degree murder, sexual battery on a child, kidnapping and burglary in the girl's death.

Howard had previously thrown out the main taped confession that 48-year-old Couey gave because investigators ignored his requests for a lawyer. The statements Howard will rule on involve unrecorded comments Couey gave to Orlando police after he was arrested in 1 March 2005. They asked Couey about the 1985 murder of 15-year-old Regina Armstrong because he had grown up near Orlando. tion. State Sen.

Mike Bennett, the bill's sponsor, wants the additional option to prevent a repeat of the race Republican Vern Buchanan and Democrat Christine Jennings. Buchanan was declared the winner by 369 votes, but more than 18,000 ballots didn't have a choice in the race. Currently, it's impossible for elections officials to determine whether voters purposely meant to leave the race blank or if they didn't make a choice by accident. "What we want to do is give people an option to write on there, 'I don't want to vote in this race. I don't really like any of these people.

I don't feel said Bennett, R-Bradenton. He filed the bill (SB 494) Thursday, the day that Buchanan was seated in Congress to represent Florida's 13th District. House leaders are investigating the race and have said Buchanan could be removed if they determine the results need to be changed. I ORLANDO NCAA pushes stronger anti message FBI agents were dispatched last year to talk with players at the NCAA tournament about gambling. It became clear they were needed when a couple athletes got text messages from gamblers seeking inside information, an NCAA official said Friday.

In further efforts to stem wagering among athletes, the NCAA on Friday launched a Web site narrated by former college and NBA star Clark Kellogg and is advising universities against things such as gambling ads in arenas and "Las Vegas night" fundraisers. Kellogg's video tells studentathletes they should know two things: they can't bet on any college or pro sporting event or provide information to anyone who does. The NCAA has been pushing a strong anti-gambling message since a 2003 survey showed a staggering number of athletes were involved in some form of gaming. The Friday launch of dontbetonit.org came on the first day of the NCAA convention, an annual event in which college sport's governing body votes on rule changes and organizes talks on studentathlete issues. Assistant Public Defender Dan Lewan said the cases are different, but the statements could be used in the Lunsford case against his client.

The two Orlando police detectives who interviewed Couey testified Friday at the hearing. Detective Joel Wright testified that Couey told him: "I wish I could help you, but I can't I did it I would tell you, they can only kill me once." Lewan said that the questioning violated Couey's right to an attorney and his right to remain silent. Prosecutors argued that MIAMI Trial date set for former Liberian president's son A federal judge set a September trial date for the son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor in the first prosecution ever under a 1994 law making it a crime for a U.S. citizen to commit torture in foreign countries. Attorneys for Charles McArthur Emmanuel, also known as Charles "Chuckie" Taylor told U.S.

District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga at a hearing Friday that they will file a motion challenging the constitutionality of that law. "We feel we are on firm ground legally," assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Rochlin said. Altonaga agreed to the Sept.

4 trial date in part to provide time for the constitutional issue to be fully argued. She ordered that the defense's challenging DON'T BE FOOLED! CALL AND COMPARE. AFFORDABLE CREMATIONS 997-0495 Home KO Bath Kitchen Quailty Products. Knock But Prices Floor Laminate starting at 5100 Cleveland Ave, Ft. Myers, FL 239.275.0406 www.homeko.com those rights didn't apply to questioning in cases unrelated to Jessica's.

"These are some of the bedrock cases defining this issue," Howard said. Prosecutors have said they were confident physical evidence would be enough to convict Couey and secure a death sentence. Authorities found Jessica's body after Couey told them where to look. Her body was found in March 2005, about a month after she disappeared from her Homosassa home near where Couey lived. motion be filed on Feb.

1 16. Emmanuel, 29, is the Bostonborn son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Emmanuel is accused of torturing a Liberian man in 2002 while head of his father's AntiTerrorism Unit, which human rights organizations say is responsible for widespread killing, torture, kidnapping, rape and other crimes. Emmanuel was arrested in March at Miami International Airport for using a fake name for his father on a U.S. passport application.

He pleaded guilty to that charge and is serving an 11-month sentence. Taylor faces trial later this year before a special United Nations tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for alleged acts during a civil war in Sierra Leone. Taylor has pleaded not guilty. The Associated Press Neptune Society. Premed cremation service since 473 Simple, Dignified.

Economical It Just Makes Sense! 239.334.4594 Ft. Myers: www.neptunesociety.com Messmer florist 3366 Cleveland Ave. 936-2131 PUBLIC NOTICE SOUTHWEST LEE COUNTY FLORIDA Lee County Hispanic Advisory Affairs Board January 10, 2007 TIME: 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. The meeting will be held in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the Lee County Administration Building located at 2115 Second Street, Fort Myers, FL.

Street parking is available. For further information, please contact Paul Valenti of the Lee County Administration office at (239) 335-2179. P.O. Sekulski DO10607-70 CREMATION ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED A CREMATION CENTER AT THOUSANDS of Hope Hospice HORIZON families have entrusted Mark Davis FUNERAL HOME and Horizon with the final care of Mark E. Davis their loved ones.

Director Call 24 Hours 939-0050 www.horizoncremation.com Cataract CURE CATARACTS 936-8686.