DNA Derails Trial in Teen’s Slaying

His attorneys, William Bennett and Bjorn Brunvand, constructed a defense around the theory that [Phillup Alan Partin]‘s longtime friend Fred Kaufman killed the teenager. Partin and his daughter Patrisha were living with Kaufman at his Port Richey home at the... [Read More]

Lotto Winner Deemed Incompetent to Stand Trial on Tax Fraud Charges

Defense attorney Bjorn E. Brunvand asserts in court papers that [Alex Toth] has severe psychiatric and medical problems that render him incompetent. According to a letter from physician Gary Levine of Suncoast Total Healthcare, Toth has been involved in “multiple... [Read More]

Neo-Nazi Reconsiders, Asks For a Lawyer

[Thane Covert] then appointed private lawyer Bjorn Brunvand to defend [John Allen Ditullio] at both pending trials. Brunvand, who was in court Wednesday after initially being appointed to assist Ditullio, said he needs to handle both cases to provide the... [Read More]

Ship Captain Acquitted of Smuggling 3.5 Tons of Cocaine

Criminal defense attorney, Bjorn Brunvand, represented a Ukrainian ship captain who was accused of smuggling $1 Billion worth of illegal drugs into the US. The defendant was acquitted. The odds were against a Ukrainian ship captain and his crew who... [Read More]

Mariners Rejoice After Acquittal

Chakhrach, a grandfather from Ukraine, and Zakuradajev, an unmarried man from Lithuania, were hired last year to work 52 hours a week on the Yalta, a rusty Panamanian freighter Chakhrach as the captain and Zakuradajev as the second officer... [Read More]

Shipping Crewmen Acquitted of Drug Charges – Free to Go Home

“Fight the drug war, pay the bill. The Yalta crewmen are free to go home, but their acquittal in Tampa comes at a high price.” TAMPA – A year ago, off the coast of Venezuela, a British war ship intercepted... [Read More]

Lawyers Offer Freed Sailors Places to Stay

Most of the sailors will live temporarily in a rental home owned by defense attorney Richard Cox. [Bjorn Brunvand] said the captain, Yuri Chakhrach, will stay with him until he can return to his home in the Ukraine... [Read More]

Woman Charged in Marijuana Growing

A woman who investigators say was entangled in a bizarre love triangle in connection with drugs and arson was arrested Thursday on marijuana cultivation and possession charges... [Read More]

Ex-president of Seminole Chamber Charged in Arson

He is the son of a respected Pinellas County judge. He is a former president of the Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce. At age 52, he is a well-known financial planner who drives a shiny red sports car. So... [Read More]

Tarpon Man Sentenced on Drug Charges

A young man from one of Tarpon Springs’ elite families was sentenced Friday to more than seven years in federal prison for his role in a massive drug ring... [Read More]

Relatives, Friends Risk Homes to Post Bails

The property will secure the release of three men charged in a St. Petersburg drug case. Three St. Petersburg men accused of drug dealing will leave jail soon after family members put up their houses Friday as a guarantee the... [Read More]

Defense Contract Charges Reduced

TAMPA – The family was accused of fraud after collecting $5.2 million but failing to supply chemical warfare shelters. Three members of the Varrato family, who operated a military supply business called Mil-Spec Manufacturing Co., are expected to plead guilty... [Read More]

Plea Sends Track Stars to College, Not Prison

The Osceola High School twins accused of beating up a school resource officer last fall will go to college, not jail, under an agreement reached on the eve of their trial. Jason and Jarrod Sheppard, track stars from St. Petersburg... [Read More]

Teal Deals for Less Prison Time

A one-time professional basketball prospect apologized for blowing a series of second chances Tuesday and struck a plea deal to limit his potential prison term to 30 years for drug crimes... [Read More]

Accused Killer, Unable to Stand Trial, Is Sent to Nursing Home

This post has been intentionally removed from this website... [Read More]