Ocala courthouse: Two men charged separately with murder will be held without bail
Here's a look at some of the court cases that were addressed at the Marion County Judicial Center from Jan. 8 to 11.
State v. Brian Keron Welcome
Charges: Second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Judge: Circuit Judge Peter Brigham.
Hearing: Welcome's lawyer, John Kruse of Clermont, had filed a motion asking the court to set bail for his client.
Judge's ruling: The judge denied Kruse's request on Jan. 8. Welcome, 43, remains locked up at the county jail.
Why was Welcome arrested? A career criminal with more than 20 felony convictions, Welcome is accused of murdering 42-year-old Eric Daugherty in the city limits of Dunnellon in late 2022. It was the city's first homicide in 32 years.
State v. Tulana Joshua
Judge: Circuit Judge Robert Hodges.
Plea: No contest.
Charge: Principle to tampering with evidence.
Sentence: Three years of probation with credit for 77 days already spent at the county jail.
Special conditions: The negotiated plea deal was finalized in court on Jan. 8. Joshua cannot have contact with anyone involved in the case and also must perform 200 hours of community service. Jail records show she was released on Jan. 8.
Defense lawyer: Enied Bano of Casselberry.
Reason for Joshua's arrest? Ocala police detectives said Joshua, of Silver Springs Shores, and others tampered with evidence in the shooting death of Jose Valliant in late 2023.
State v. Ehren Evens Volcy
Hearing: Pre-trial conference held Jan. 9.
Defense lawyer: James Tarquin of Ocala.
Judge: Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti.
Charge: Aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude police and resisting an officer without violence.
How was the case resolved? Volcy was sentenced to 243 days in jail after pleading guilty. The Ocala man was already in jail for more than 243 days after he was accused of the 2023 murder of Deshawn Noel Edwards Ballestero.
That charge was dropped by prosecutors due to insufficient evidence against the 19-year-old man. Kathryn Hamilton of the Public Defender's Office represented Volcy in the murder case.
Jail records show Volcy was released on Jan. 9.
State v. Wesley Hurd
Defense lawyer: Bryanna Gwen Stephenson Bynum of Orlando.
Judge: Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti.
Charges: Human trafficking for commercial sexual activity, aggravated child abuse, kidnapping of a minor and possession of child pornography.
State Attorney's Office: At an arraignment hearing held on Jan. 9, prosecutors said they were filing charges against Hurd, 29, of Tennessee. His next court hearing is set for May.
Arrest: Hurd was taken into custody by Tennessee law enforcement officials when they found him and a 14-year-old girl at a residence. In an interview with Marion sheriff's detectives who went to Tennessee, Hurd told them he recruits underage girls on the internet, tells them to harm themselves and then watches the acts via video.
Where's Hurd now? He was extradited to Marion County and is being held without bail.
State v. Zy'wantre Si'cane Lester
Judges: Circuit Judge Peter Brigham and County Judge Tommy Thompson.
Why two judges? Lester first appeared in front of Brigham for a pre-trial hearing. After that, he was was escorted to Thompson's courtroom for his first appearance hearing on Jan. 11. Lester's first appearance hearing on Jan. 10 had been canceled because he wanted his lawyer present.
What happened in the courtrooms? Brigham revoked Lester's bond. He had been charged with felony battery. Lester's lawyer for that case is John Klein.
Minutes later, Lester, handcuffed and shackled, made his way to Thompson's courtroom. The judge determined that Lester, 23, charged with first-degree murder, will be held without bail.
Lester told the judge he did not know anything about the case and asked for a public defender. He was appointed a lawyer from the Public Defender's Office and indicated he wanted a speedy trial. The judge told him his lawyer would handle his needs once they meet.
Next court hearing: Feb. 13.
In court: No bail for second man accused in fatal Burger King parking lot shooting
Lester's case: Ocala police officials believe Lester chased and gunned down McKenzie Lebron Roundtree, 34, of Ocala, on Dec. 22.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala courts: Two defendants in murder cases denied bail
