March 10 (UPI) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant for a 48-year-old man convicted of kidnapping and strangling a woman to death in 2000.
The warrant, made public by the Supreme Court of Florida, states Michael Tanzi is scheduled to be executed at 6 p.m. EDT April 8 at Florida State Prison.
Tanzi was sentenced to death on April 11. 2003, after being convicted of first-degree murder, carjacking with a deadly weapon, kidnapping and robbery with a gun or deadly weapon.
Court documents state that his victim, Janet Acosta, was reading a book in her van parked at the Japanese Gardens in Miami during her lunch hour on April 25, 2000, when Tanzi approached her.
After asking for a cigarette and the time, he punched her in the face to gain entry to the van, which he then drove away while threatening his victim with a razor blade.
The court documents state he was seeking a way to return to Key West where he lived.
He bound Acosta with rope and gagged her with a towel. During the drive, he sexually assaulted her while threatening her life with the razor blade if she injured him.
He also used her ATM card to withdraw money from her bank account.
Upon arriving in the lower Florida Keys, Tanzi strangled Acosta to death and disposed of her body in a wooded area.
He was arrested two days later by police who spotted Acosta’s van, which they had been searching for after the woman’s friends and coworkers reported her missing.
Court documents state that he had receipts in his pocket showing the ATM withdrawals he had made from his victim’s account.
Tanzi told police that he “knew what this was about,” according to the court documents, which added, “He also spontaneously stated he wanted to talk about some bad things he had done.”
“Tanzi confessed that he had assaulted, abducted, robbed, sexually battered and killed Janet Acosta,” according to court documents.
“Tanzi repeated his confession with greater detail several times on audio and videotape. Tanzi also showed the police where he had disposed of Janet Acosta’s body and where he had discarded the duct tape and rope.”
Tanzi is scheduled to be the third person executed in Florida this year, following James Ford, who was killed on Feb. 14, and Edward James, who is set to have his sentence carried out on March 20.
There have been six executions in four states so far this year — four by lethal injection and one each by nitrogen hypoxia and firing squad.
Christopher Sepulvado was scheduled to be executed in Louisiana on March 17, but the octogenarian died late last month on death row.
According to Robert Dunham, director of the Death Penalty Policy Project, nine states have issued 31 death warrants for this year.
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The road to the 1A state championship runs through Hollywood this Friday night as the upstart True North Classical Academy Titans (10-2) travel to face the perennial powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna Lions (9-2) in a much-anticipated regional final matchup at Zappone Field.
The Titans enter riding high after an explosive 62-28 rout of Saint Andrew’s in last week’s semifinals, showcasing an offense firing on all cylinders at the perfect time.
Meanwhile, the host Lions dispatched Edison 47-18 in their semifinal contest, continuing their quest for another state title to add to their decorated trophy case.
With both teams demonstrating dominant offensive performances in their previous outings, this clash promises to be a high-scoring affair that will test True North’s Cinderella story against Chaminade-Madonna’s championship pedigree in what could be the most exciting 1A playoff game of the season.
Opening kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 28 with a live TV broadcast on NFHS Network.
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What: True North Classical Academy looks to continue Cinderella run against powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna in 1A regional final
When: Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 28
Where: Zappone Field | Hollywood, Florida
Watch live: Watch Chaminade-Madonna vs. True North Classical Academy live on the NFHS Network
It will be rivalry weekend in the Swamp as the Florida State Seminoles (5-6, 2-6 ACC) take on the Florida Gators (3-8, 2-6 SEC) this Saturday. The FSU vs. UF game will always draw national attention, but this time for reasons different from those in the past.
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As the ‘Noles kick off at 4:30 p.m. EST, bowl eligibility will be on the line as underdogs for another Sod Game.
Regardless of a Florida win, it would be the first time in more than six decades that both programs finished with losing records and missed a bowl game, a scenario that hasn’t happened since 1961. The Gators are currently 1.5-point favorites in the bout and will be led onto the field by interim head coach Billy Gonzales and quarterback DJ Lagway, who has 2,096 yards, 13 touchdowns to 13 interceptions on the season.
Meanwhile, FSU quarterback Tommy Castellanos has led one of the nation’s most explosive offenses and leads the ACC in explosive plays, although they’ve had their own struggles on the road, which makes the contest an intriguing one given the two powerhouses’ history.
From the infamous “Choke at the Doak” showdowns to Sugar Bowl rematches, Warrick Dunn’s “spiritual sequel” in 1998 in a game that felt like a return to the same hard-nosed, bruising football that he helped define in the previous years for Florida State.
Emmitt Smith and Deion Sanders to Dalvin Cook and Jameis Winston, the rivalry has showcased Hall of Famers, first-round draft picks, and era-defining stars. It’s the kind of matchup that still draws national eyes, with fans set to tune in on ESPN this Saturday.
Records may fade, but the stakes, pride, and audience never do.
Here is how to watch:
Game Information: Florida State Seminoles vs. Florida Gators
Current Records: Florida State (5-6, 2-6 ACC) vs. Florida Gators (3-8, 2-6 SEC)
Date/Time: Saturday, November 29, at 4:30 p.m. EST
Where: Gainesville, Florida – Ben Hill Griffen Stadium (88,548)
TV/Streaming: ESPN2
Commentators: Play-by-Play: Jay Alter, Analyst: Rocky Boiman, Sideline: Marilyn Payne
Radio: Seminole Sports Network channel No. 117 or No. 194/SXM App
Tallahassee – 94.9 FM – WTNT
Ft. Walton Beach – 1400 AM – WFDM
Jacksonville – 690 AM – WZNZ
Tampa – 1010 AM – WHFS
Tampa – 92.1 FM – WHFS
Bainbridge, Ga. – 101.9 FM – WBGE
Brunswick, Ga – 790 AM – WSFN
Waycross, Ga. – 1350 AM – WFNS
Lake City – 1340 AM – WDSR
Marianna – 100.9 FM – WJAQ
Melbourne – 1060 AM – WIXC
Miami/West Palm Beach – 850 AM – WFTL
Orlando – 660 AM – WDYZ
Panama City – 94.5 FM – WFLF
Pensacola – 92.3 FM – WNRP
Port St Lucie – 1590 AM – WPSL
Spread: FSU +1.5 (-120), UF -1.5 (+100)
Over/Under: Over 50.5 (-112), Under 50.5 (-108)
Moneyline: FSU (-108), Florida (-112)
Series History: Florida holds a 38-28-2 lead in the all-time series. Since 2010, Florida State is 9-5 against the Gators and has taken five of the last seven meetings played in Gainesville.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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The Florida Supreme Court recently disciplined eight attorneys, suspending seven and reprimanding one.
The Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar and its Division of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the more than 114,000 members of The Florida Bar.
Court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred lawyers may not re-apply for admission for five years. They are required to go through an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the Bar exam. Attorneys suspended for periods of 91 days and longer must undergo a rigorous process to regain their law licenses including proving rehabilitation. Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment.
Larry Elliot Klayman, suspended for two years. Admitted to practice in 1977, Klayman engaged in a conflict of interest when he represented plaintiffs in three separate cases against Judicial Watch, an organization he founded and for which he previously served as general counsel, without seeking conflict waivers. In another matter, he expressed to his client that his personal feelings for her rendered him unable to properly represent her. However, he failed to withdraw from her case even after being terminated, and he publicized the case against her wishes.
David Casals, suspended due to a felony conviction. Admitted to practice in 2000, Casals was charged by information with Trafficking in cocaine, Delivery of cocaine, and Introduction of contraband into a County Detention Facility. On Sept. 5, Casals was convicted after a jury trial of Possession of Cocaine, a third-degree felony, and Introduction of Contraband into a County Detention Facility, a first-degree misdemeanor.
Casals was sentenced to 364 days in the Palm Beach County Jail, followed by a three-year term of supervised probation with other conditions. Casals has filed a notice of appeal. The Supreme Court of Florida has ordered that a referee recommend the appropriate disciplinary sanction for Casal’s criminal misconduct.
Marcy S. Resnik, suspended for 10 days and ordered to attend Ethics School. Admitted to practice in 1988, Resnik entered a plea of no contest to the misdemeanor charge of Obstruction/Resisting an Officer without Violence. The charge was based upon Resnik’s advice to a former client that she should not discuss a certain matter with police because she had previously signed a settlement agreement that contained a confidentiality and non-disparagement clause.
Billy-Joe Hoot Crawford, felony suspension. Admitted to practice in 1998, Crawford was convicted of one count of Interference with Custody, a third-degree felony, and one count of Tampering with a Witness, Victim or Informant, a third-degree felony, on Jan. 30, 2024.
Jeffrey Rice Hussey, suspended. Admitted to practice in 1990, Hussey failed to respond to an official Bar inquiry and the Bar filed a Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause with The Florida Supreme Court. The Court issued an Order to Show Cause to which Hussey failed to respond.
Joan Marie Powers, suspended for 20 days. Admitted to practice in 1985, Powers filed appearances in immigration proceedings while her clients were being held at Krome Detention Center. The appearances specifically indicated that Powers would represent her clients in all proceedings, where Powers claimed her services were only meant for the cases while at Krome.
When each client was released from Krome, Powers took no further action on their cases but failed to withdraw. In one matter, after failing to appear for a removal hearing, that client was ordered deported. In the other, a one-year deadline to file a petition for asylum was missed.
Eduardo Rodriguez, public reprimand administered by personal appearance before the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar, completion of Ethics School, completion of Professionalism Workshop, and completion of an additional continuing legal education course. Admitted to practice in 1999, Rodriguez, the supervising partner of his law firm, at times permitted retainer and contingency fee contracts and other legal documents to be notarized by qualified law firm employees without the notaries having witnessed the execution of the documents, nor were the client/signors present, as required by Florida law regarding notarizations.
Jennifer Anne Tanck, suspended. Admitted to practice in 2008, Tanck failed to respond to an official Bar inquiry and the Bar filed a Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause with The Florida Supreme Court. The Court issued an Order to Show Cause to which Tanck failed to respond.
Key discipline case files that are public record are posted to attorneys’ individual online Florida Bar profiles. To view discipline documents, follow these steps. Information on the discipline system and how to file a complaint are available at www.floridabar.org/attorneydiscipline.
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