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Hernando Today

Spring Hill firefighter arrested in domestic case

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By TONY HOLT | Hernando Today

Published: October 30, 2009

SPRING HILL - Michael Vitale pleaded no contest in 1995 on a charge of domestic battery.

Fourteen years later his wife — the victim in the aforementioned case — filed a temporary injunction against him because she feared for her life, according to court records.

Vitale, a Spring Hill firefighter, spent Thursday night in jail after he called his wife at her workplace and threatened to "burn down her house," deputies said.

He was charged with violating a court order.

Vitale threatened his wife Tuesday, four days after the injunction was filed in Hernando County Circuit Court, according to the sheriff's office.

Shortly after 5:30 p.m., Vitale's wife received an angry call from her husband and at one point, gave the phone to her co-worker, according to an affidavit. Both of them confirmed to authorities it was Vitale on the other end of the line.

A sheriff's deputy used *69 and confirmed the call came from Vitale's cell phone, authorities said.

"This type of behavior has escalated … to physical violence on me or my children," the victim wrote in the injunction.

The couple shared a house in Hudson, but Vitale, 45, moved out three or four months ago, his wife stated.

He showed up at the house unannounced Oct. 22 and became "verbally abusive" toward the victim and began slamming objects in the house, she said.

The injunction was filed a day later.

The two have been married for 19 years, according to court records. Their children no longer live at the house.

A call to Vitale's cell phone was answered by an acquaintance who would not identify himself.

"We're going to get him out of jail right now," he said.

Vitale did not return a message seeking comment.

Spring Hill Fire Chief Mike Rampino said Friday he had not reviewed the arrest report and would not take any action until he talked to Vitale and learned more about the case.

Assistant State Attorney Rob Lewis said a temporary injunction does not necessarily have to be filed after an arrest.

The victim can request it and if the defendant decides to fight it, the temporary injunction is filed and a hearing is set.

It is up to the victim to provide the burden of proof that her life is in "imminent danger" before a more-permanent injunction can be filed in civil court, Lewis said.

One of the provisions of the temporary injunction is that the defendant must not "directly or indirectly contact (the victim) in person, by mail, e-mail, fax, telephone or through another person," according to Florida law.

Vitale's current address is in Spring Hill.

Bond information was not available as of press time Friday.

In addition to his domestic battery conviction, Vitale also was convicted in 2001 in Pasco County of a charge of improper confinement of a vicious dog, according to court records.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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