TAMPA - Here are five things you need to know happening in Florida on Monday, March 11.
(1) Dontae Morris murder trial
Opening statements and testimony in the first of four murder trials for Dontae Morris are scheduled to take place in Tampa on Monday.
Morris is charged with killing five people, including Tampa police officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab. The officers were shot to death during a traffic stop on June 29, 2010.
Prosecutors say in the weeks before the officers were murdered, Morris killed three other men: Rodney Jones, Derek Anderson and Harold Wright.
The current trial is for the death of Jones. Investigators say Morris killed the 42-year-old outside the Cotton Club in Tampa.
After many potential jurors told a Hillsborough County judge they knew Morris was the prime suspect in the murders of the two officers, the judge decided to move jury selection to Orange County.
Twelve jurors and three alternates are being sequestered in Tampa for the duration of the trial which is expected to last two weeks. If convicted, Morris could face life in prison.
(2) Spring break warning
With the start of Hillsborough County Schools spring break on Monday, deputies are warning county residents to be vigilant in observing and reporting crime or suspicious activity.
The Sheriff's Office says try not to advertise you're on vacation via social media websites like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and be sure your kids do not either. Letting people know you are away from home gives potential burglars the knowledge they have plenty of time to steal your belongings.
Deputies say have a trusted friend or neighbor "house sit" for you or if that is not possible have them bring in your mail, newspapers and garbage cans while you're gone.
Also, hide any valuables from being in plain sight or secure them in a safe or safety deposit box.
If you are leaving older children at home during Spring Break make sure they keep doors locked, the house alarm set, and not to open the door to strangers.
If you see any suspicious activity in Hillsborough County, you're ask to call the Sheriff's Office non-emergency dispatch at (813) 247-8200.
(3) Mark Kelly in Sarasota
Former NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain Mark Kelly will give a lecture at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota on Monday.
Captain Kelly is a best-selling author, prostate cancer survivor and naval aviator who flew combat missions during the Gulf War. He flew four times aboard the space shuttle, including commanding Endeavour's final flight in May 2011.
Kelly is married to former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. The couple have been vocal about gun control following the January 2011 assassination attempt on her life.
Today's 10:30 a.m. lecture is sold-out. ABC Action News will talk with Captain Kelly before his speech. You can hear what he says starting today on ABC Action News at noon.
(4) Carson Kressley in Tampa
Emmy-winning television star and celebrity stylist Carson Kressley will be the special guest at The Tampa Bay Area Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) luncheon on Monday.
Kressley first gained notoriety on the award-winning TV series Queer Eye For The Straight Guy. Since then he's appeared on the series How to Look Good Naked and Carson Nation.
Kressley also appeared on the 13th season of Dancing with the Stars in the fall of 2011.
The 11:30 a.m. luncheon at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa is open to the public.
Tickets may be obtained by visiting the Tampa Bay Area Chapter of Meeting Professionals International website at www.tampabaympi.org .
To learn more about Kressley, visit his official website at www.carsonkressley.com .
(5) Tampa Bay Championship week begins
Tampa Bay Championship week tees off at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort with the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy Pro-Am on Monday.
Twenty PGA Tour professionals, including John Daly, are playing in the Pro-Am. Also participating are former MLB All-Star and Tampa native Fred McGriff, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl XXXVII MVP Dexter Jackson.
The Pro-Am benefits the Academy, which assists at-risk children using the golf course as a living classroom.
The event begins at 12:30 p.m. with a shotgun start. Admission to today's Pro-Am is free.
Tuesday the PGA Tour professionals the Tampa Bay Championship will play a practice round. Admission to the practice round is free.
The Tampa Bay Championship Pro-Am takes place on Wednesday. Tickets to view the Wednesday Pro-Am are $10.
On Thursday, the professionals will begin the four-day Tampa Bay Championship presented by EverBand playing for a purse of $5.5 million. Luke Donald is tournament's defending champion.
Tickets for tournament rounds, priced at $40, are available at the gate or TampaBayChampionship.com .
Kids 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Active and retired military with a valid common access card are admitted free.
Innisbrook Resort is located on US 19 in Palm Harbor.
PRINT
