Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer - death penalty? Part One

By Nicholas Dorsten, Esq.

From the CNN website, a local Florida case that is making headlines...

The suspected ringleader of a group arrested for allegedly luring a 15-year-old boy to a Florida home, shooting him several times, burning his body in a fire pit and putting the remains into paint cans, could face the death penalty if convicted, his attorney said Thursday.

But the defense attorney added, "We are not admitting any guilt at this time."

Michael Bargo, 18, appeared in court Thursday where he was denied bond in the killing of the victim, an act that allegedly involved five other people Sunday in the central Florida city of Ocala, according to a statement from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

The victim and Bargo had dated the same girl, though not at the same time.

The victim at one point went to Bargo's home yelling and screaming in the front yard, threatening to burn down Bargo's house, the criminal defense lawyer added. CNN cannot independently confirm that statement.

Prosecutors say two females later lured the victim to the home, where he was beaten with a wooden object. He was then shot several times with a .22 caliber gun, authorities said.

As the wounded teen attempted to flee, he was tackled and shot again, according to the sheriff's statement. His body was allegedly placed in a sleeping bag and burned in a fire pit outside the home.

His ashes were placed into several paint containers and thrown into a large garbage can, authorities said.

Authorities said they learned of the alleged plot from a member of the group who admitted witnessing the killing.

Four adults and two minors have been charged in connection with the death.

Bargo, Charlie Kay Ely, 18; Justin Soto, 20, and two minors face first-degree murder charges, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said.

James Haven, 37, faces charges of accessory to the crime for allegedly helping to dispose of Jackson's remains and driving one of the suspects out of the area to avoid arrest, authorities said.

Sheriff's department documents gave little information on what led to the killing other than brief statements by suspects about a dispute and a growing hatred.

Divers on Wednesday found three paint buckets in a water-filled rock quarry that are suspected of containing the victim's remains, authorities said.

The contents of the buckets were delivered to a forensic specialist at the University of Florida in Gainesville to determine if the ashes and bone fragments match those of the victim.

Haven, who is not represented by an attorney, posted a $10,000 bond and was released Wednesday morning.

The two minors involved in the case are currently being represented by public defenders, who could not comment.

A jury trial that was expected to take place on May 2 has been postponed, said the criminal defense attorney.

Soto's public defender, would not comment on the case. Ely is not represented by an attorney.

Bargo also had a restraining order issued against him, forbidding contact with a person named Calib, who is not connected to this case.

Have you or someone you love been arrested for a violent crime or a criminal offense? Then call the St. Petersburg criminal defense attorneys today for a free consultation!

For more information, or to speak directly with experienced St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyers please contact BLAKE & DORSTEN, P.A. at 727.286.6141 or email the lawyers your questions at: info@blakedorstenlaw.com. We are located at 4707 140th Ave N, Suite 104 in Clearwater, across from the criminal courthouse in the airport business center, minutes from Tampa and St. Petersburg.