A local Orlando man has been sentenced in federal court for faking injuries and receiving government benefits. Patrick Wilson plead guilty to two counts of theft of government property, in the form of disability benefits. Wilson told officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs that he was paralyzed and received tens of thousands of dollars in disability benefits. Law enforcement investigators videotaped Wilson walking just fine, however - engaged in work on his yard, roofing his house, and even dancing. Wilson will spend 13 months in federal prison and has been ordered to pay the Department of Veterans Affairs nearly $160,000 in restitution. It is not clear how long Wilson received veteran's payments before officials became suspicious of his paralysis claims.
In an extremely tragic story in south Florida, a Miramar man has been arrested for shooting his wife and their daughter. Police say the couple's 12-year-old daughter saw her father about to shoot her mother and attempted to intervene. When she interrupted, he shot the girl, as well. Dervis L. Lawrence, 39, was arguing with Odover Laird, 29, in the driveway of their home, the girl told investigators. She saw her father repeatedly shooting Laird as Laird attempted to escape. When the daughter grabbed her father's arm to stop him, he turned and shot his own daughter in her upper arm to prevent her from interfering.
Laird was pronounced dead at the home. Police did not release the name of the 12-year-old. Lawrence is being held in jail with no bond set. He has been charged with murder and attempted murder. The shooting incident occurred on the 3000 block of S.W. 173rd Way. The daughter was hospitalized with her injuries and is expected to recover. Miramar police reported that the couple was arguing about financial matters prior to the shooting.
In an extremely tragic story in south Florida, a Miramar man has been arrested for shooting his wife and their daughter. Police say the couple's 12-year-old daughter saw her father about to shoot her mother and attempted to intervene. When she interrupted, he shot the girl, as well. Dervis L. Lawrence, 39, was arguing with Odover Laird, 29, in the driveway of their home, the girl told investigators. She saw her father repeatedly shooting Laird as Laird attempted to escape. When the daughter grabbed her father's arm to stop him, he turned and shot his own daughter in her upper arm to prevent her from interfering.
Laird was pronounced dead at the home. Police did not release the name of the 12-year-old. Lawrence is being held in jail with no bond set. He has been charged with murder and attempted murder. The shooting incident occurred on the 3000 block of S.W. 173rd Way. The daughter was hospitalized with her injuries and is expected to recover. Miramar police reported that the couple was arguing about financial matters prior to the shooting.
