Florida Keys News - Key West Citizen
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
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Acevedo trial set for Aug. 24

Suspended Monroe County Schools Superintendent Randy Acevedo will stand trial on Aug. 24, sooner than his original trail date of Oct. 19, Circuit Judge Mark Jones decided Tuesday.

Assistant State Attorney Mark Wilson and defense attorney Catherine Vogel agreed to the date.

The judge also scheduled a hearing at 8:45 a.m. Aug. 19 to iron out any last-minute motions either side might have.

"I don't want any collateral issues at the eleventh hour," the judge told the attorneys.

The judge hinted that he may call for "sequestered voir dire," meaning prospective jurors will be questioned individually instead of in a group about any family, business or social connections they might have with the defendant, witnesses or attorneys. Attorneys will ask other questions designed to winnow out undesirable jurors.

Sequestering prevents a jury pool from possibly being prejudiced by something a prospective juror might say, Wilson said.

"I fully expect the judge to call for a sequestered jury questioning," Wilson said.

Because Key West is such a small town, the court will have to call between 50 and 70 citizens to find at least six jurors and two alternates who have no conflicts of interest, Wilson said.

Acevedo was charged with third-degree felony official misconduct, accused of trying to cover up the alleged theft of school money by his wife, former Adult Education Coordinator Monique Acevedo, who faces two felony charges. Her trial is set for Oct. 16.

jguerra@keysnews.com

Its Time to bring the School system to there Knees

Submitted on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 5:50pm
Its Time to bring the School system to there Knee's! Calling all parents and business owner do not give any extra money to the school's Ie supplys & adopt a class rooms this year to show the school board and the admin staff that we are over it only give your kids what they need and no more than that. They need to know that we are over it and want new admin staff that dont want business as uaual just whats right for the kids. Its the only way to let them know how we feel because they are still not listing.

What would be right for the kids...

Submitted on Fri, 08/07/2009 - 4:08pm
What would be "right for the kids" would be an adult who takes pride in his or her native tongue, a person who at least learns the rudiments of their own language. How can a child of yours do well in school when such little care is given at home to proper spelling and grammar? How is that I, as an immigrant, with English as a second language, take more care with my use of English? I am of average intelligence. The right thing to do would be to lead by example. When I read your comment, I see a person with little regard for education. Why should I follow your lead? I also wonder why the most viral and jingoistic comments are always those fraught with the most spelling errors.

What would be right for the kids ?

Submitted on Sat, 08/08/2009 - 1:01pm
I have to disagree with you and agree with the other blog! At least the person has a point they aren’t listening. All you offer is your spelling grammar. Have you ever seen a doctor's grammar? I didn’t think so but you wont mind when they operate on you so stop with trying to put someone down and putting down kids that you assume that bloger might have. If you’re the so-called immigrant go back to were you came from and I hope you have a green card! Also have a solution and don’t attack someone for his or her grammar that’s more than likely why you left your country in the first place. God Bless America!

What would be right for the kids.

Submitted on Sat, 08/08/2009 - 11:09pm
Yes, of course, I come from a country where people are jailed for poor grammar, this is why I came to America. As far as the previous person's 'blog'is concerned, I fail to see how it offers any type of solution. (by the way, it's called a post) What the poster "offered" was a "pressure tactic" not a solution. This flawed type of reasoning would have one throw the baby out with the bathwater and would adversely affect our children's education. A better solution would be a voter recall, which does not seem to be an option in this case. We are going to have to wait for an election. In the meantime I suggest vigilance and community participation. Please, show up to school board meeting or a PTA or SAC meeting if you are a parent and volunteer at a school. As well, I suggest that both you and the first poster, if you are in fact different people, seek to improve your understanding of basic English, otherwise do not bemoan the fact that our children graduate from high school without basic writing skills. I fail to see how I would follow your leadership in matters of education if you cannot write in your own language, it would be like having a four hundred pound couch potato as a personal trainer. As far as doctors are concerned, I believe your comment applies to their penmanship rather than their grasp of syntax and grammar. Yes the U.S. is a wonderful country, with a long and strong tradition of public education. This means that all are given the tools, however the rest is up to individual. One can either graduate with the ability to write a grocery list, a coherent sentence, an essay or a novel. Which one did you chose? I assure you that I am here quite legally, that I pay my taxes and stay out of trouble. As much as it may irk you, I have the same rights as you, except that I may not run for POTUS. Most of the time I keep my opinions to myself, but when someone starts their post of with "What would be right for the kids" my curiosity is piqued. After reading the post, I am quite convinced that this person has no idea what is right for the kids as far as their education is concerned. This is not a judgement on their character as a whole but if I were to show up at your door, slovenly attired and offer myself as your stylist what would you do? Understand that when you present yourself through writing, it is the same thing. If you are going to comment on education and be taken seriously at least demonstrate that you have taken your own education to heart.

Bad, any way you slice the key lime pie...

Submitted on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 6:01am
Even if he gets his job back, look at what he is facing: a board that will be even more difficult to work with, a wife facing serious time in jail, damage to the emotional well-being of his poor children, no respect from most of the teachers in the district, and the knowledge that if he ever runs for any office again, that he will be laughed out of town. He has no job prospects on this island whatsoever, unless one of the rich bubbas hire him. If he were to move to another city, with the Mickey Mouse degree he has, from an obscure place, in a field of computer tech, well, that isn't much. In the middle of a recession, there are thousands of computer experts, with real degrees and experience that would get the job instead of him. Yeap, anyway you slice this key lime pie, it's not looking good for him. Also, you conspiracy types out there, who probably believe in UFO's and the Lochness Monster, need to accept that the almighty powerful randy does not control the judicial system. Reasonable people will trust that system, respect the judge, jury, and attorneys, and accept the results. That's called living in a democratic society, and you lynch mob people are scary. Please calm down, vote and take action when the time comes, and leave the rest in God's hands. I'm going to pray for Reason to prevail in this entire matter. That is what we need the most,especially so our children can see a good example about how to deal with adversity.

Cinque got off without even

Submitted on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 3:24pm
Cinque got off without even a slap on the wrist and there were witnesses who witnessed his behavior, so unfortunately I am beginning to lose faith in the judicial system down here.

I agree with what you say Mr

Submitted on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 2:27pm
I agree with what you say Mr or Ms Key Lime Pie. People can not honestly believe Randy has control of the judicial system. They should, as you say calm down and let the process work. To set the record straight Randy's degree is from Gardner Webb in North Carolina a highly regarded university. His on the job training was with EDS that huge company owned by Ross Perot. You had to have some smarts to work for Mr Perot.

THE FIX IS IN

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 8:29am
Acevedo expects that going to trial before his wife will help him win acquittal because his denial of knowledge of her activities could not possibly hold up once her trial is held. Acevedo believes he will walk and get his job back. This arrogance is not uncommon in politics. The State Attorney better have more on him than utterance of a forged instrument. They must prove that he knew that it was a forgery.

Has............

Submitted on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 5:04am
the verdict already been determined, too?

now

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 4:17pm
Be done with it and go foward. We need Randy back or a strong leader to take charge and build unity with the school board. And maybe Mr. Dick will get over being let go from Marathon High. And before he attacks others with Much more education he could get a real degree. And maybee his buddy could get certified for the business he says he runs. School Board Members should be required to hold a Masters in education and admin to run! You get what you pay for, Just a thought.

Is this really the best you can come up with?

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 9:08pm
To bring back Randy? Randy is incompetent. You are just mad because Mr. Dick has been exposing him for the snake he is since he got on the board. Another thing- Mr. D was NOT let go from MHS. He was loved by the students because he championed them and he never got involved in all of the local politics. He was fair and good at his job. What kills me is that for all of your degrees and titles, his knowledge and understanding of student achievement, and school finance blows away most of the morons who are walking around with 100K salaries. These idiots we have running this district deserve every ounce of criticsm and for once maybe the students could finally benefit if instead of trying to block Mr. Dick's ideas the administration would start impelementing them. We have been paying and paying for this expensive, bloated administration and we are rewarded with theft, poor oversight, and cuts in the classroom. We have been ripped off and I for one am sick of it!

Well, if you think that

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 7:37pm
Well, if you think that board members and administrators should have a Masters degree, then you just eliminated Randy, that you appear to so highly value and want back.

Now ! what a JOKE

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 6:40pm
Yea right Randy will build unity his track record does not show it. Just another one who condones stealing. Randy Had to Know what was going and if he did not know then he is not the man for the job. stealing from the kids is wrong and there are alot of conchs and bubba's that dont like it either. The OLD BOOKIE EMPIRE IS FALLING APART!

THE FIX IS CERTAINLY IN

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 11:54am
But of course Randy will walk on August 25. And, get his job back August 26th. In October, when all the tapes and emails come out in Monique's trial that show Randy knew (he's not stupid; arrogance is different), Randy won't be able to be tried twice. He'll be back on the job, and it will be business as usual. Unfortunately, probably all the State's Attorney's office has IS that dummy MARC House letter. Now, if the emails between Randy and Monique were included in Randy's trial, that might add a little jelly in with the peanut butter.

Let him have it back

Submitted on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 12:15am
Let him come back! At least he will not will re-election. For once, maybe we can have a good election with nothing but real educators going for the top job. I would like to see two non-conchs go for the job. Keep the bubbas out! Let the locals, non conch or conch make a real decision for the top job.

This is why our governor has

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 11:26am by M
This is why our governor has not appointed anyone. Acevedo going to trial first when he knew what his wife was doing and benefited from all of it is just plain stupid. What ever happened to the emails they were supposed to look at to see if Randy did know about everything???????????It sure looks like the Bubba Fix is in.

There's not a person in Key West who should sit on that jury

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 5:29am
Any one in that town who is picked will be harassed or intimidated. Pick the jurors from up the Keys or better yet take this trial to another county.

Agreed

Submitted on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 7:43am
I've had something like this happen twice over the years. There's a lot riding of this one case. Many worms stay in the can, if he walks.

I have a jury summons sitting on my dining room table for that

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 10:09am
period, but they'd never pick me since my utter contempt for that fat, worthless crook could not be hidden.

I have a jury summons

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 12:01pm
You could try to hide it for the sake of truth and justice. One less Bubba on the jury would be a good thing.

Me again - I checked and indeed it is for 24 August

Submitted on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 4:38pm
However, I do have a medical disability and my doctor has written a note. I can't sit there on some hard bench while they interview 70 prospective jurors privately. As much as I despise the Acevedos and the Bubba-crooked lives they stand for, I couldn't possibly physically endure it all.

It really is tempting

Submitted on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 4:34pm
I'm just not sure I can play THAT DUMB! ;-P

Again the Big Bubba gets special treatment

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 5:24am
Monique was arrested two months before Randy and yet Randy gets his trial two months for her. Why is this?

Because his attorney knows what he is doing

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 11:28am
She could also have a speedy trial. She just has to make the official "demand" for it. YOu really shouldn't blame it on big Bubba or connections or special treatment if you don't know the law. Monique's attorney is probably delaying it as much as possible, that's their tactic. Randy's tactic was to get it over and done with. No special treatment, just good lawyering, on both counts really.

Vogel will tear Wilson apart

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 3:49pm
Vogel will tear Wilson apart in trial.

TRUE TRUE

Submitted on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 11:56am
The sequence of trials will be very important in Randy getting an "innocent" verdict. Bet that wouldn't happen if Monique's trial came first.
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