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Judge Rules Toxicology Results Will Be Allowed At Man's Trial

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By HERNANDO TODAY STAFF

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 19, 2008

Judge Rules Toxicology Results Will Be Allowed At Man's Trial

BROOKSVILLE - A judge ruled Tuesday that the toxicology results from a blood test will be allowed during the trial of a man accused of leaving the scene of a fatal collision.

The charge stems from the night of Feb. 18, when Jason Blair, 29, reportedly struck a pedestrian walking on the shoulder of Cortez Boulevard. The pedestrian, Anthony Morales, 35, later died from his injuries.

Attorney Ellis Faught Jr. filed a motion on behalf of Blair earlier this month asking that those test results be excluded from the trial. The test was taken six hours after the collision and show Blair had prescription drugs and marijuana in his system, court records show.
Faught argued that the charge his client faces is not a DUI, so there is no relevance to the tests. Assistant State Attorney Don Barbee has a doctor he believes can prove that Blair was under the influence at the time of the collision.
Barbee said during a motion hearing that the results could serve as a motive for Blair leaving the scene of the crash. Blair's trial is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Man Charged With 20 Counts Of Sexual Battery On A Child

SPRING HILL - A Spring Hill man who claimed he was in love with a 16-year-old girl was arrested Monday on 20 counts of sexual battery on a child.

The victim told investigators that she had sex with the suspect, James Blackman, 37, of 9472 River Road, around 10 times a month since February 2008, an affidavit states.

In an interview at the sheriff's office, Blackman told an investigator that he was in love with the victim, then requested a lawyer, a report states. Blackman is charged with 20 counts of sexual battery on a child, engaging in a sex offense with a minor and violating an injunction for protection against domestic violence, an affidavit states.

Man With Four DUI's Charged With DUI Again

SPRING HILL - A man with four prior convictions for DUI and a license suspended as a result was pulled over Monday and arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Luis Delgado, 36, was pulled over around midnight after the car he was driving was seen by a deputy weaving and striking a curb, a report shows. The deputy noted the open beer bottle in the car's console and asked Delgado to perform field sobriety tests, a report shows.

Delgado failed the tests and was given citations for DUI, refusal to submit to a blood alcohol test, driving with an open container and driving as a habitual traffic offender.

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