A man accused of driving a vehicle that sideswiped a school bus transporting dozens of migrant laborer on their way to work last year, killing eight of them, has had his court case continued until at least mid-May.
Here’s what happened in that case and others heard at the Marion County Judicial Center the week of Dec. 30.
State v. Bryan Maclean Howard
Judge: Circuit Judge Peter Brigham.
Lawyers: Ocala defense attorney Jack Maro and Assistant State Attorney Janine Nixon.
Charges: Eight counts of DUI manslaughter and 11 counts of DUI with serious bodily injury to another.
If Howard is convicted, what would be the sentence? He could receive up to life in prison.
Was Howard in court? Yes. He appeared with his lawyer on Jan. 3 for trial priority.
What was the outcome? Maro told the judge he wanted to continue the case for the next several months so he can further investigate. The judge granted the extension and set Howard’s next court date for May 15, which will be a day after the anniversary of the May 14, 2024 crash.
Defense lawyer Jack Maro.
Outside the courtroom, Maro told a Star-Banner reporter he still needs to conduct a significant number of interviews. Also, he awaits the Florida Highway Patrol’s full, detailed report, which he said is vital in determining who caused the crash.
Maro said once he gets the report, he may want to hire an accident reconstruction expert to review the document. The attorney said he also wants to carefully examine any toxicology reports.
Where’s Howard now? He’s being held without bail at the Marion County Jail.
About the case: The 41-year-old Dunnellon man was arrested May 14, 2024, by troopers hours after the crash, which occurred in west Marion County.
Howard is accused of being impaired while driving a pickup truck along State Road 40 and sideswiping the bus. FHP officials said 53 farmworkers were on their way to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon when the crash happened.
Authorities said Howard told them he smoked marijuana oil and took prescription pills the night before the crash. Howard told troopers he was on his way to a methadone clinic in Ocala for treatment and doesn’t remember anything about the crash.
Juvenile
Age: 15.
Charge: Aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm.
Judge: Circuit Judge Robert Hodges.
Lawyers: Local defense lawyer David Mengers is representing the minor.
What happened in court? Prosecutors announced on Dec. 31 at an arraignment hearing that they have filed charges against the teen. In November, prosecutors announced the defendant would be handled as an adult.
What’s next? The minor will have a trial priority hearing in late April.
About the case: Sheriff’s detectives arrested the girl in November 2024 and accused her of shooting and killing a 14-year-old boy.
State v. Jered Michael Watford
Judge: Circuit Judge Timothy McCourt.
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney Madison Kirkland and defense lawyer Ian Pickens.
Charge: Use computer to seduce/solicit/lure child.
Reason for court appearance: Change of plea. Watford, 33, entered a no contest plea last month pursuant to a plea agreement between prosecutors and the defense. His sentencing was delayed until Jan. 2.
What happened in court? Watford told the court he’s going to try to do better. The judge told him it’s a hard way to learn a lesson. He told Watford that he has a good support system and them standing by him says a lot. Watford’s family was in court.
Sentence: 21 months in prison, with four days of credit for time already served at the county jail. He also was sentenced to serve two years of probation.
Court cases: Ocala courthouse: Life prison sentence in carjacking case
Any restrictions? Yes. Watford must register as a sexual offender and cannot have any unsupervised visit with anyone younger than 18 expect his child. He also must undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation.
About the case: Local, state and federal authorities arrested Watford and numerous other men who were accused of trying to pick up children over the internet for sex.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Trial delayed for man accused of driving vehicle that killed 8 farmworkers