THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 6 MARCH 17, 2022
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WILTON MANORS
WILTON MANORS POLICE CHIEF VOWS TO ACHIEVE CONVICTION IN DOUBLE MURDER CASE AGAIN By John McDonald Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary Blocker impactful and it should be as we move forward announced his department is recommitting yet again.” Adams and Powell had been together for 29 efforts to achieve a conviction in the horrific years before they were shot and bludgeoned to murder of a gay couple. Earlier this year, citing a procedural error, the death days before Christmas in 2010. Avsenew, Florida Supreme Court granted Peter Avsenew now 37 and an inmate at Union Correctional a new trial. Avsenew is charged with the 2010 Institution in Raiford, allegedly met the couple killing of Wilton Manors couple Stephen through a sexually suggestive ad on Craig’s List Adams and Kevin Powell. The case has been and moved in with them weeks prior to the sent back to the 17th Judicial Circuit because killing. a key witness — Avsenew’s OTHER NOTES FROM THE mother — testified virtually in MARCH 8 MEETING: a way that prevented her from seeing the defendant. Blocker awarded officer Daniel “We believe the killer Leone and code compliance murdered Stephen and Kevin administrative assistant Denise because they were gay,” Smith with officer and civilian Blocker said. “We will stand employee awards for the up for Stephen, Kevin, their quarter. Officer Daniel Plunske families, our community received the 2021 Officer of and the greater LGBTQ+ the Year Award and Alberto community and our allies Carrillo, crime intelligence working toward a second analyst, was posthumously conviction. Anything less awarded the Civilian Employee would be unacceptable.” of the Year Award. “Al achieved Blocker said a trial date has great success because of one not been set but asked for simple yet powerful word: love,” thoughts and prayers for the - Gary Blocker Blocker said. families that will have to relive Wilton Manors Police Chief Community Affairs the tragic killings in court Advisory Board chairman again. Avsenew was convicted of first-degree murder in 2017 and given the Michael Sansevero announced a new public death penalty. He boasted that he “was not art installation. The sculpture, titled “Ice sorry” and in a hand written letter to a judge Pops,” is located at Rachel Richardson Park. wrote, “homosexuals are a disease to mankind “It’s a beautiful addition to the central neighborhood,” Sansevero said. Elsewhere, and must be put down.” “Back then this crime was big for our Sansevero is accepting donations to repair the community,” Blocker said. “It was big and “Slices of Heaven” sculpture at the SunServe
“We will stand up for Stephen, Kevin, their families, our community and the greater LGBTQ+ community and our allies working toward a second conviction.”
Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary Blocker. Credit: The City of Wilton Manors Police Department.
building. The citrus themed piece collapsed due to water leakage. On a 3-2 vote, commissioners approved a lease agreement with Echo Air Conditioning for 1,200 square feet of floor space at 2200 NE 12th Avenue. Commissioners Mike Bracchi and Gary Resnick objected to the deal on the grounds rent was well below market rate. The lease will provide $1,140 monthly revenue to the city’s water utility fund. Commissioners gave the go ahead to join national litigation in opioid-related settlements. “This resolution wisely states that this also applies to any future opioid settlements,” resident Paul Kuta said. “This is important
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because just last week Purdue Pharmaceuticals finally agreed to a revised, multi-billion-dollar settlement over its role in the opioid crisis with almost all states and thousands of local governments.” Commissioner Chris Caputo asked for more focus on traffic safety. Commissioner Gary Resnick echoed Caputo’s request and proposed getting Florida Senator Gary Farmer and other state representatives involved. Resnick said either a change in design or lower speed limits are desperately needed on Powerline Road. “It’s absolutely not safe,” he said. The next regular commission meeting is scheduled for March 22.
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