BROOKSVILLE – Earlier this month the parents of 3-year-old Ave Thomas, the little girl who died at the hands of William Perkins last April, found out that Perkins could walk free on a technicality, after a motion to dismiss the case was filed by his Public Defender, Eric Tippin (RELATED ARTICLE).
Yesterday Ava’s parents, Lacey and Rick Thomas along with several supporters, filed into a Brooksville courtroom, all wearing pink t-shirts bearing the hashtag, Justice for Ava. Perkins was escorted from a holding cell to the courtroom, where a bailiff shackled his feet to the floor next to his attorney.
Judge Stephen Toner asked Attorney Tippin to explain why the court does not have jurisdiction over his client’s case. Tippin argues that Perkins license was not set to be suspended until April 4th, three days after the tragic accident. And that his license had actually expired, which would not constitute criminal prosecution in Circuit Court. Judge Toner replied “So you choose not to pay your fines for whatever reason and then your license becomes suspended and because you can’t renew while it’s suspended, you are therefore given a pass on not having a valid driver’s license?”
Tippin and Judge Toner debated for several minutes over what legislators intended, with regard to the relative statutes.
Tippin asserted that misdemeanor charges could be filed against Perkins in County Court and that he could face civil implications because the accident resulted in serious injury and death.
Assistant State Attorney, Bill Catto argued that the question should be argued in front of a Jury and not decided in a motion hearing.
Rather than render his decision in open court, Judge Toner took the motion under advisement and will provide a ruling within 10-days.
Outside the courtroom, Ava’s parents voiced their frustrations and disappointment over what could potentially be the end of their fight for justice. “I don’t understand why they believe everything he says and why it doesn’t matter what I say,” says Lacey. I asked if she was satisfied with the state’s argument; Lacey replied, “I don’t think they are fighting too hard to be honest with you, I think it’s pretty horrible.”
RNRF will continue to bring more on this story as it develops.
RELATED ARTICLES:
MAN WHO KILLED TODDLER COULD WALK FREE ON TECHNICALITY, WIFE MOCKS DEADLY INCIDENT
CHILD, 3, DIES AFTER FAMILY STRUCK BY CAR – UNLICENSED DRIVER CHARGED
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if the state attorney even bothered to check - his licenses was suspended and on the 4th was when he became a habitual driving on a suspended licenses
I hope you are right Nancy. That being said, I pray that the Judge will notice that and lock this guy up permanently.
Well that’s judge toners MO. He decides who’s side he’s on, and proceeds accordingly. That’s the MO of Hernando county, criminals walk free, and victims and innocents are trampled upon in this *** backwards county. The cops here aren’t worth their skin, and are totally unprofessional. If I had researched this county before my idiot exwife talked me into coming here, I would have said hell no. and just as soon as I can, I’m leaving this hole county
Bye, Bye
James,
You started packing yet ? enjoy your trip 🙂 Bye Bye
See ya!
Prayers and justice for this family. Can’t imagine the hurt of losing their baby to another scumbag who shows no remorse for his actions.
Look at that girl’s eyes. This is so unfair. Hang in there.
Bull ****, stick it to this piece of crap
WTH?
SO.. as long as you have a valid drivers license, you can drive recklessly, and kill people… no biggy? No punishment?
Wth!
This can’t happen… this POS cannot go free.
This is just his Driver License Check
As of Sep 28, 2016, at 1:21 PM driver license number P625-923-89-222-0 is currently CANCELED, SUSPENDED, REVOKED, DISQUALIFIED, OR WITHDRAWAL. This is a result of the following infractions shown on your driving record. Please note that this is not an official driving record. For information on how to obtain an official driving record, click here. All information provided is based on what we have received from courts and law enforcement agencies. Review all items and requirements listed below before paying reinstatement fees. This license is a Class E. Restrictions are A. Endorsements are (NONE ON RECORD). Motorcycle endorsements are (NONE ON RECORD).
COURT SUSPENSION(s) - Court Requirements Not Met Status: EFFECTIVE
Click Here for information to resolve these effective court suspensions, court requirements not met.
FAILED TO PAY TRAFFIC FINE(PENALTY) 8/2/2016 A67IA9E HERNANDO 20 N MAIN ST ROOM 134 BROOKSVILLE (352)540-6388
FAILED TO PAY TRAFFIC FINE(PENALTY) 9/7/2016 A053QLE HERNANDO 20 N MAIN ST ROOM 134 BROOKSVILLE (352)540-6388
FAILED TO PAY TRAFFIC FINE(PENALTY) 9/7/2016 0269GBQ HERNANDO 20 N MAIN ST ROOM 134 BROOKSVILLE (352)540-6388
Suspensions, Revocations, Cancellations, Disqualifications
DL EXPIRED-F.S. 322.08 (6) 2/17/2015 Cancellation FL - EFFECTIVE
HABITUAL TRAFFIC OFFENDER 8/4/2016 HTO Revocation - - EFFECTIVE
Fr Judgement 10/28/2014 Fr Suspension - 326445624 EFFECTIVE
Fr HTO 8/4/2016 Fr Suspension - 628046599 EFFECTIVE
Suspension - Failed to Pay Court Obligations Status: PENDING
FAIL TO PAY CT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION 10/18/2016 272013CF001014CFAXMX 20 N MAIN ST ROOM 134 BROOKSVILLE (352)540-6388
FAIL TO PAY CT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION 10/18/2016 272013CF001208CFAXMX 20 N MAIN ST ROOM 134 BROOKSVILLE (352)540-6388
FAIL TO PAY CT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION 10/18/2016 272013CF000142CFAXMX 20 N MAIN ST ROOM 134 BROOKSVILLE (352)540-6388
Suspension - Failed to Pay Court Obligations Status: EFFECTIVE
FAIL TO PAY CT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION 8/1/2016 272016MM001072MMAXMX 20 N MAIN ST ROOM 134 BROOKSVILLE (352)540-6388
And not the first one of his cases has he paid. He needs to go to prison for life and Jackie right behind him. Why hasn’t the court took the kid away and out of that? His mom robs the bank at gun point for the money for the car that killed Ava and to bail him out of jail. Which isn’t allowed. Everyone needs to take a stand and call the Judge and State Attorney and beg them to never let him get out of jail.
I AGREE 200%. The State Atty. needs to step up and do their damn job, and STOP THESE LOSERS FROM WALKING. If not, FIRE ALL OF THEM, and clean house and give the jobs to people who WILL defend the innocent victims in this county.
Court system fails in Hernando County
May Perkins rot in Hell.
Oh, he will.
someones gonna bring the chevy to a real slow creep..
I fully believe in karma, and there won’t be no place in this county for this loser or that skanky wife of his to hide that someone won’t be able to find him. Sucks to be them. Can’t wait for that karma train to come through and mow them p.o.s’s down. Just pray that someone will be around to film it and post it on FB. Just sayin…
😕
So if you are driving down the road and look down for a minute and accidentally run someone over then you are a scumbag who should rot in hell? I don’t know these people but the burning torch bearers on this website make it seem like he purposely got that poor little girl in his cross hairs, sped up and purposely ran her over. Any why, oh why would you spend your time looking up someone else’s driving record? Get a life! Read the news, don’t play God!
You may need to explore the backstory. I think what angers people more is the family history of getting away with crap and the absolute complete lack of remorse displayed in this particular incident. It brings this tragedy to another level.
Amen
maybe glen, you should research this guy and his mom….he is not good..and his action this time and others call for his prison sentence….you are making an opinion without researching what this guy is all about…you have access to sheriff site and hernando and pasco court sites..use them…then make a valid point….
Double AMEN, my heart breaks for this family. Please Lord give them the justice they deserve and comfort in their grief. Fly with the angels little Ava.
well if it was your daughter and grand kids maybe you’d understand it was my daughter and grand kids and the Nancy lady knows the family that’s why she’s doing what she’s doing we’re not playing God we want Justic for Ava and for what he did to Spencer and Lacey this man keeps breaking the law and him and his wife may lite of Ava dying and the pain he caused
I do know these people. He worked for me and i fired him for being high all the time. This idiot was high on meth and told me stories about his wife doing it too. While we were working out if town he was sleeping with another women. He is a hard core junkie.
In tears for this family, prayers to Ava and the Thomas family.
Jack Springstead, wish you were still on the bench. This is BS and you would not even waist your time on it. I think if he gets off it militia time.
If That was my Little Girl & he walked out of that Courtroom. He would not make it out of the Parking Lot ALIVE!!! I’m Just Saying
Jackie,
Lets see if your smart A** h Hubby is as smart as you say. I’m hoping he gets LIFE ! you and him are the true meaning of WHITE TRASH may you both Rot !
You are right on both counts.
Bet he was high out his mind when he nodded out cig who doesn’t stop pull over get the cigarette or phone js he a waste of life some one will cross paths with the junkie I know him his wife and brother they all should be in prison or dead!!!!!!
I know him too and know for a fact he is a hard core junkie. Ive seen him nodding out sitting in his car in a parking lot. I worked with him and he was fired for being high or dope sick all the damn time.
Well just letting you all know I agree and now the wife is pregnant with his child .smh
NO! She is Pregnant with someone else Child. You might not want Kiss her right away Mr. Perkins When you walk out of the Courtroom! at least till you see her Brush her Teeth!! : > (
The law has to be evenly enforced or we go back to the arbitrary treatment of the tyrant, which we already have with “selective enforcement.” At the same time, nearly everyone in our country, blows off some or all of the law as being unreasonable intrusion. Unfortunately, this guy got caught with an accident and in this case a fatal one. But we must all remember there are laws that we blow off every day, such as traveling 65 miles an hour down Cortez.
Well stated Dennis Purdy.
You know Perkins some one should roll your a** up like a burrito and stomp the filling out of you. You have no respect for anyone but yourself. In my book 📚 your white low life trash .
LOL AMEN to that.
Jesus Christ, are the Perkins family related to the Clinton’s? Damn I’ll bet everyone out there wishes they could walk on water like the Perkins family. Just look at the family history. What are the judges afraid of?