Your Florida Daily: 1st death penalty sought in child rape case, former Jags financial manager pleads guilty to fraud

ORLANDO, Fla. – For the first time in Florida, a state attorney is seeking the death penalty for a man accused of raping a child.

Joseph Giampa was indicted Thursday on several counts of child sexual battery.

Shortly after, the state attorney representing Lake County announced he would seek the death penalty the first under the state’s new law that allows that sentence in certain cases.

But, some attorneys say it could have a reverse effect and result in fewer people reporting child sex assault.

Gov. Ron DeSantis who signed that bill into law posted on social media that he supports the state attorney’s decision.

Electrified toll road will connect 2 major highways

Transportation leaders have signed off on a major step toward building a new road linking two busy highways.

The Lake/Orange Expressway will connect U.S. 27 to State Road 429. On Thursday, the expressway authority approved a construction contract for the 4.4 mile project.

The toll road will likely open in 2027 with construction costs totaling $534 million.

Former Jaguars financial manager pleads guilty to stealing $22M

A former Jacksonville Jaguars employee accused of stealing more than $22 million from the team has pleaded guilty to federal charges.

Amit Patel appeared in court yesterday.

He was fired by the Jaguars earlier this year, after being accused of using the team’s virtual credit card on private jet rides, luxury hotels, a $95,000 designer watch — and even a Tesla.

As part of a plea deal, Patel has agreed to pay back the money and still faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced.

Random Florida Fact

Tucked away in the Lake Helen cemetery of Volusia County is a brick-laid seat that’s known by locals as the “Devil’s Chair.”

The cemetery is found near the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp, and several of the original Cassadaga spiritualists are still buried there.

As told by Sanford-born historian Charlie Carlson in his book “Weird Florida,” the legend goes if you sit in this big brick chair at midnight, “the devil will communicate with you.”

And “we’re told that if you place an unopened can of beer on the chair, it will be empty the next morning.”

Anthony Talcott has the full story of the Devil’s Chair here.