Fender-bender turns deadly

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Fender-bender turns deadly

By AP

LAKE HAMILTON, Fla. (AP) - A Florida man was arrested after allegedly going on a violent rampage after a minor fender-bender, slashing and stabbing the occupants of a car, then running over and killing a woman who had been riding in another nearby vehicle.

Casey Weldon Till, 26, of Haines City, faces murder and carjacking charges after the attacks involving family members traveling in two vehicles.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office tracked Till to his home through a pill bottle left at the scene late Sunday night. Police allege that he killed Odalis Cespedes, 41, by running her over twice. Till told police he was high on crack at the time.

The violence apparently unfolded after Till's minivan slammed into a stopped car being driven by Cespedes' daughter, 19-year-old Ivon Despaigne, and her boyfriend, 21-year-old Angel Gonzalez, of Kissimmee. When the couple got out to check the damage, Till allegedly slashed Gonzalez's throat and stabbed Despaigne in the neck.

Investigators say Till then got into the couple's car and repeatedly rammed the vehicle ahead, occupied by Cespedes, her husband, 41-year-old Mario Despaigne, and their 6-month-old granddaughter.

The couple got their granddaughter out of the car seat and Cespedes was trying to flee with the baby in her arms when she was killed, Mario Despaigne said in an interview with The Ledger, which was conducted through an interpreter.

Mario Despaigne said Till drove over his wife's leg, then ran over her again after seeing she was still moving. Despaigne said he grabbed the baby. Then Gonzalez got into Till's van and hit him, then tried to back over him, but Till rolled out of the way, according to the arrest report.

Till then allegedly ran back to his van, ignoring commands to stop from a Lake Hamilton police officer who happened upon the scene. Till sped off, hitting officer David Hurst in the arm and midsection with the van's open door.

Till had locked himself in his bathroom and cut his wrists by the time investigators found him, the report said. He allegedly admitted the attacks to his wife and mother.

The police report listed Gonzalez and Ivon Despaigne in critical condition, but a local hospital would not provide information about their condition Tuesday.

Till was being held Tuesday in the Polk County Jail on charges of murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, carjacking and improper exhibition of a weapon. It was not immediately known if Till had an attorney.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Wednesday, Aug 27 at 10:02 PM Brian wrote ...

I worked with Odalis...and just for those who asked about the baby...she is doing well and we are all pitching in to make sure that she has everything she needs. God bless her

Wednesday, Aug 20 at 7:25 PM El Lagarto wrote ...

Can't make you help but wonder if someone had had a concealed permit and a firearm, they may have been able to put one in this guy before anyone else died. Or ten.

Wednesday, Aug 20 at 3:39 PM Danielle wrote ...

Can we run over him and stab him and slice his throat open... Where's the baby at and how's it doing?????

Wednesday, Aug 20 at 2:30 PM joanntschimpf@yahoo.com wrote ...

the problem is the drugs. we have to keep the drugs off the street and the police need to protect us against these drugs and what they do to a person. we need more police finding the problem and putting a stop to this drug culture that has been organized by these drug sellers. we need them off the street. volunteers should be put on the street and observing what is going on.

Wednesday, Aug 20 at 8:33 AM D-Bag wrote ...

Dont waste our electric on him. My bill's too high as it is.

Wednesday, Aug 20 at 8:28 AM bonita wrote ...

now I know what is coming next. the guy is out of his mind so he will be free, is he out of his mind he needs to be in mental hospital and after he is ok, then be in jail for the rest of his life. Weird that he didn't exhibit be crazy before this incident rigth?

Wednesday, Aug 20 at 8:04 AM Steve wrote ...

Attorney what does he want an attorney for give him the chair and save the taxpayers money.

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