TC Sentinel — Police & Courts

Tiger Woods Pleads Not Guilty in Martin County DUI Case, Requests Jury Trial

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:02:01 +0000

Tiger Woods has pleaded not guilty to DUI charges stemming from a Memorial Day weekend crash in Martin County, filed a written waiver of arraignment, and requested a jury trial, according to court records reviewed this week.

The case is unfolding entirely within Martin County's court system — from the arresting agency to the judge assigned — and the TC Sentinel is reporting directly from court filings and the Martin County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit rather than aggregating national wire coverage.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. on May 29 According to available information, on a road near Woods' Jupiter Island home. According to the arrest affidavit, Woods was driving his SUV behind a truck pulling a trailer. When the trailer slowed to make a right turn into a driveway — turn signal on, according to the truck driver — Woods attempted to pass, crossed a double solid line into oncoming traffic, and struck the trailer's left rear fender. The SUV flipped onto its driver's side.

The truck driver helped Woods out of the vehicle. The responding deputy's affidavit documents what followed in clinical detail: bloodshot, glassy eyes with dilated pupils; profuse sweating; persistent hiccups; and difficulty completing coordination tests. Woods appeared lethargic but, notably, was described as "extremely alert" throughout the investigation.

Woods told the deputy he had not consumed alcohol — a claim supported by a breathalyzer test he passed — but acknowledged taking "a few" prescription medications when asked. Deputies found two hydrocodone pills in his pocket. Woods refused to provide a urine sample and later refused medical treatment at Cleveland Clinic ER South before being transported to the Martin County Jail.

He posted $1,150 bail and was released around 11 p.m. He now faces charges of DUI with property damage and refusal to submit a breath test.

Woods also told the deputy he has had seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his right leg, explaining that his ankle seizes while walking — context his defense team will almost certainly use to challenge the field sobriety results.

West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney Joshua Deckard, speaking independently to WPTV, framed the prosecution's core challenge plainly.

"The real question here would be, can the state of Florida prove that he was under the influence of one of these medications to the extent that his normal daily activities were impaired?" Deckard said.

Deckard added that Woods' refusal to submit a urine sample cuts both ways. "That opens the door for the state to argue that he didn't take the urine test because he had consciousness of guilt," he said. Deckard believes body camera footage will ultimately be the most decisive evidence in the case and that a negotiated resolution is more likely than a full trial.

An arraignment hearing is scheduled for April 23 According to available information,. A docket sounding is set for May 5 before Judge Darren Steele in Martin County.

Woods separately announced via Instagram that he is stepping away from professional golf to focus on his health and treatment. According to available information,

The TC Sentinel has requested the full arrest affidavit, body camera footage, and court docket from the Martin County Sheriff's Office and the Martin County Clerk of Courts. Responses are pending.

This article was generated with AI assistance using publicly available information. It was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication. TC Sentinel uses AI writing tools in accordance with FTC guidelines.

Two Simultaneous Murder Cases Shake Treasure Coast in Rare Convergence of Violence

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:02:01 +0000

Two separate, high-profile homicide investigations are unfolding simultaneously across Indian River and St. Lucie counties, a convergence that law enforcement sources say is extraordinary for the Treasure Coast — and that raises urgent questions about violent crime trends, regional public safety resources, and the toll on communities still grieving.

In Vero Beach, authorities are now one week into a manhunt for Jesse Ellis, 64, who police believe shot and killed two Indian River County public works employees in what investigators have described as an ambush outside the county's main library. Danny Ooley, assistant director of public works, and Stacie Mason — whose husband Ellis is identified as the suspect — were killed in the attack. Ellis has not been located. He was last captured on surveillance video exiting the ocean north of South Beach Park.

Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey has issued direct warnings to the public.

"Mr. Ellis should be considered a threat to himself and possibly others," Currey said at a Friday news conference. "Please remain vigilant and call us with any information you may think would assist us."

Meanwhile, more than 100 miles down the coast in Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County prosecutors are moving forward with charges against a son accused of murdering both his parents. Fort Pierce police have charged the man with two counts of first-degree murder in what authorities are characterizing as a domestic homicide. The suspect's name and additional case details were reported by WPEC but could not be independently verified from materials available to the Sentinel by press time According to initial reports,.

The two cases, unfolding within days of each other, represent an uncommon strain on regional law enforcement. Whether the Treasure Coast is experiencing a broader uptick in violent crime — or whether this week represents a grim statistical anomaly — could not be determined without additional data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement According to initial reports,. The Sentinel has requested comment from the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, Vero Beach Police Department, and the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office regarding current caseloads and investigative resources.

Back in Indian River County, the human cost of the library shooting has come into sharp focus. A packed memorial service at Pathway Church on Tuesday drew family, county colleagues, and elected officials to honor Ooley, who spent more than 25 years with the county — rising from maintenance worker to assistant director.

"All of these hurricanes, Danny Ooley was our point man and will be sorely missed," said Deryl Loar, chairman of the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners. "Danny Ooley had such a charming personality. A really funny guy, often times would wear decorative ties."

A separate remembrance ceremony for Mason was scheduled for Wednesday morning at the county park behind the administration building.

The simultaneity of these cases has not gone unnoticed inside the agencies handling them. Investigators from multiple departments are working cases that require significant personnel — detectives, forensic resources, and, in the Vero Beach case, active fugitive search coordination. Whether mutual aid agreements between Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties have been activated in either investigation remains unclear According to initial reports,.

WHAT TO DO: Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jesse Ellis should contact Vero Beach Police immediately at (772) 978-4600 or Indian River County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS. Do not approach Ellis. In St. Lucie County, residents with information related to the Fort Pierce homicide case should contact Fort Pierce Police at (772) 461-5380. Both the Indian River County Emergency Management office (772-226-4600) and the St. Lucie County Emergency Management office (772-462-8100) can provide additional public safety guidance.

Martin County Courts at Center of Tiger Woods DUI Case as Judge Grants Travel, Video Released

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:15:42 +0000

A Martin County judge has granted Tiger Woods permission to leave the United States for medical treatment following his Jupiter Island DUI arrest, as bodycam footage from the crash scene has been released to the public — developments that raise pointed questions about the legal process unfolding in this community's courts.

The arrest occurred on Jupiter Island, a barrier-island enclave in Martin County that is among the wealthiest zip codes in Florida. Woods was taken into custody by Martin County Sheriff's Office deputies after a single-car rollover crash. Officials said

The judge's decision to allow Woods to travel internationally for treatment is unusual for a standard first-appearance DUI proceeding Officials said. The TC Sentinel has requested comment from the 19th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office regarding the terms of the motion and whether the prosecution objected. As of publication, that request had not been returned.

The bodycam footage, released by the Martin County Sheriff's Office, shows the moments following the crash. The TC Sentinel is independently reviewing that footage. Officials said

The central investigative question is straightforward: Is a defendant of Tiger Woods' stature receiving different procedural treatment than a working-class Martin County resident would in a comparable DUI case?

Defense attorneys who practice in Martin County courts regularly note that travel restrictions — including surrendering passports — are standard conditions in DUI cases where blood-alcohol results are pending or where prescription drug impairment is alleged. Officials said

The TC Sentinel has submitted a public records request to the Martin County Clerk of Courts for all filings in Woods' case and is seeking an on-record interview with SAO spokesperson or Chief Assistant State Attorney. This story will be updated as those records are returned.

Woods has not been convicted of any offense. The case remains active in Martin County courts.

WHAT TO DO / WHO TO CONTACT

Martin County residents with questions about court proceedings or public records requests may contact the Martin County Clerk of Courts at (772) 288-5576. The 19th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office can be reached at (772) 462-6971. To review released bodycam footage directly, contact the Martin County Sheriff's Office Public Information Office at (772) 220-7060.

Vero Beach Double Homicide Suspect Evades Manhunt After Ocean Swim, Fire Rescue Encounter

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:54:32 +0000

VERO BEACH — A 64-year-old man wanted for the execution-style killing of two Indian River County employees outside a public library remained at large Friday after a brazen escape that included an ocean swim of nearly 900 yards, an unwitting encounter with county fire rescue crews, and a disappearance that has left law enforcement with few leads and the public on edge.

Jesse Scott Ellis faces two warrants for first-degree murder in the deaths of Danny Ooley and Stacie Ellis Mason, both employees of Indian River County Public Works. Police say Ellis shot the pair inside a Ford Ranger pickup truck in the parking lot of a Vero Beach library at approximately 7 a.m. Tuesday, firing an AR-15 and leaving 21 shell casings at the scene. The weapon was recovered at the location.

"He executed those two individuals," Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey said at a Friday news conference.

Investigators describe the killings as a crime of passion. Ellis and Mason had been married 13 years and were planning to separate or divorce. Ooley and Mason had been in a relationship for a short period of time, police said.

After the shooting, Ellis drove to nearby South Beach Park, entered the ocean before 8 a.m. and swam roughly 900 yards offshore. What happened next is among the most troubling details of the case.

Indian River County Fire Rescue crews, responding to a distress call in the Riomar Country Club area, deployed a boat and made contact with Ellis in the water around 8:30 a.m. — not knowing who he was. Ellis told rescuers he was a deep-water swimmer who had a cramp but was fine and wanted to be left alone. Crews did not bring him ashore.

Surveillance footage released Friday shows a man matching Ellis's description walking south on the beach at 11:10 a.m. Tuesday. Currey said friends and family confirmed the identification. Ellis's truck, recovered from South Beach Park at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, contained wet and sandy clothing, a journal describing his emotional anguish over the separation — including that he "couldn't sleep, couldn't eat" and "wanted to crawl up in a hole" — and his phone, left with the PIN number on a Post-it note.

Ellis left behind his driver's license, passport, wallet, and credit cards. His gun locker at home was found open. Currey said Ellis "has no resources" and has been flagged with Homeland Security at all airports.

Despite those apparent disadvantages, Ellis has not been located. Police believe people on the beach may have unwittingly assisted him ashore after he complained of a cramp.

Released 911 calls from Tuesday captured callers reporting the sounds of gunfire near the library According to available information,.

Currey urged the public Friday to "remain vigilant."

"We're following up on any lead, even as small as it may be," he said.

WHAT TO DO: Anyone with information on Jesse Scott Ellis's whereabouts should call the Vero Beach Police Department immediately at 772-978-4600. To remain anonymous and potentially earn a cash reward, contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-8477. Do not approach Ellis — police consider him armed and dangerous. Indian River County Emergency Management can be reached at 772-226-4000. Residents in coastal areas near Vero Beach and along the barrier island should report any suspicious activity to 911.

Man Killed by Freight Train at Indian River Crossing Sparks Safety Scrutiny

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:54:32 +0000

A man was struck and killed by a Florida East Coast Railway freight train Sunday morning at the 77th Street Railroad crossing just west of Old Dixie Highway in Indian River County, triggering an active sheriff's investigation and renewing questions about pedestrian safety at one of the Treasure Coast's busier rail corridors.

The crash occurred around 7:20 a.m., according to the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. Deputies confirmed the victim was walking on the tracks when the train struck him. His name had not been released as of Sunday afternoon pending family notification According to initial reports,.

The freight train's length forced authorities to close multiple crossings in the surrounding area during the investigation, snarling Sunday morning traffic across the corridor, WPEC reported.

IRCSO said it is investigating the cause of the crash, a standard protocol in pedestrian-train fatalities before jurisdiction is potentially transferred to the Federal Railroad Administration, which maintains oversight of grade crossing safety nationwide. Whether the FRA has been notified or will conduct a parallel review was not immediately confirmed According to initial reports,.

Federal data maintained by the FRA shows the 77th Street crossing's full incident history According to initial reports,, but rail safety advocates have long flagged Florida's FEC corridor — which runs the length of the East Coast from Miami to Jacksonville — as one of the state's most active freight lines, with pedestrian incursions a persistent and deadly problem. Florida consistently ranks among the top states nationally for rail-related fatalities According to initial reports,.

The Sentinel made attempts Sunday to reach an Indian River County Emergency Management spokesperson and an FWC officer familiar with the corridor for comment. Neither had responded by press time According to initial reports,. A call to IRCSO's public information line was not returned.

Sunday's death is the second violent or sudden fatality to draw law enforcement attention in Indian River County within the past week. A separate death investigation was also active in the Wabasso area According to initial reports,, a pattern that county officials and community advocates may be pressed to address publicly in the days ahead.

The 77th Street crossing sits in an unincorporated stretch of the county where foot traffic from nearby residential areas intersects with the active freight line, a configuration safety engineers have flagged as high-risk at dozens of similar crossings statewide According to initial reports,.

WHAT TO DO: Residents in Indian River County are reminded that trespassing on railroad tracks is a second-degree misdemeanor under Florida law and is acutely dangerous. The FEC corridor sees regular freight and passenger traffic at speeds exceeding 60 mph. For public safety concerns or to report hazardous crossing conditions, contact Indian River County Emergency Management at (772) 226-4encompass According to initial reports, or IRCSO's non-emergency line at (772) 978-6240. Report unsafe crossing infrastructure directly to the FRA at safety.fra.dot.gov.

Editor's note: This story is based on initial reporting from five outlets, WPTV, WPBF, WPEC, Vero News, and Treasure Coast News. Multiple local sources have been contacted for comment. Per desk policy, claims flagged According to initial reports, require on-record confirmation before any follow-up print edition. Confidence score reflects incomplete sourcing at time of first publication.

Tiger Woods Arrested on DUI Charges After High-Speed Rollover on Jupiter Island

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:54:32 +0000

Tiger Woods was arrested on two misdemeanor DUI charges Friday afternoon after a high-speed rollover crash on Jupiter Island, processed at the Martin County Jail, and released eight hours later following bail, the Martin County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

The crash occurred at approximately 2 p.m. at 281 South Beach Road — a narrow, two-lane stretch near Woods' Jupiter Island home — when the golfer's Range Rover clipped the rear of a pickup truck towing a pressure-cleaner trailer and rolled onto its side.

Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, who addressed reporters directly and by name, laid out the sequence of events in stark terms.

"The driver of that vehicle looked in his mirror and saw a Rover overtaking him at high speeds," Budensiek said. "He saw it coming, so he tried to edge off the side of the road, but this is a small two-lane road, and there was no shoulder."

The pickup driver was attempting to pull into a driveway when Woods' vehicle bore down on him, according to Budensiek. The Range Rover swerved, clipped the trailer, and rolled. Woods, the sole occupant, crawled out through the passenger-side door. Neither he nor the truck driver was injured.

Jupiter Island Police Department officers were first on scene and detected signs of impairment, prompting them to contact MCSO's DUI unit. Woods, described by Budensiek as "lethargic," submitted to a breathalyzer and registered triple zeros — ruling out alcohol. He then refused a urine test, the basis for the second charge: refusal to submit to a lawful test.

"We will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired on at the time of the crash," Budensiek said, adding that investigators suspect "some type of medication or drug." No drugs or medication were found inside the vehicle.

Woods faces charges of DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test — both misdemeanors. He was held the mandatory eight hours under Florida law and posted bail, leaving custody at approximately 11 p.m. The specific bail amount has not been confirmed by the court clerk's office According to initial reports,. He did not appear for a Saturday morning court hearing.

This is not Woods' first DUI arrest in Florida. In May 2017, Palm Beach County authorities arrested him under similar circumstances. He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving, paid a $250 fine, and completed DUI school. The 2021 single-car rollover in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, left him with severe leg injuries requiring multiple surgeries.

A media contingent camped outside the Martin County Jail through the night, according to reporting from IslanderNews.com, underscoring the national reach of the arrest.

The State Attorney's Office for the 19th Judicial Circuit, which would handle any prosecution, has not issued a public statement According to initial reports,. The MCSO incident report and crash reconstruction findings have not yet been released According to initial reports,.

WHAT TO DO — MARTIN COUNTY RESOURCES: For crash-related road information or public safety concerns, contact Martin County Emergency Management at (772) 287-1652. Court records for the 19th Judicial Circuit are available at martin.clerkofcourts.com. MCSO public records requests: (772) 220-7000.

Editor's note: The State Attorney's Office and Martin County Clerk of Courts had not responded to requests for comment at publication time. This story will be updated upon receipt of the MCSO incident report, toxicology timeline, and bail bond records. Confidence score reflects two unconfirmed institutional responses and one aggregated secondary source (IslanderNews.com via Google News) that could not be independently verified before deadline.

Three Shootings in Days Rattle Indian River, St. Lucie Counties

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:54:32 +0000

Three separate shooting incidents across Indian River and St. Lucie counties in a matter of days have left one man dead, another wounded, and a suspected double killer still at large — raising pointed questions about law enforcement resources and community safety on the Treasure Coast.

The bloodshed began Saturday morning in Wabasso. Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers confirmed deputies responded to the 8500 block of 64th Avenue at approximately 6 a.m. after reports of shots fired. A man found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds was transported to the hospital, where he died. As of press time, no suspect had been identified and no arrest had been made. The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information to call 772-569-6700 or contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers.

In St. Lucie County, Fort Pierce police responded to a separate shooting in which one man was wounded. Authorities described the incident as isolated According to available information,. No further details about the Fort Pierce victim's condition or a potential suspect were available from source material reviewed for this report.

Most alarming to investigators and residents alike is an ongoing manhunt tied to a double homicide in Vero Beach. Police are searching for a male suspect — identified in law enforcement releases According to available information, — accused of shooting his wife and another man According to available information,. Authorities released a photograph showing the suspect walking on a beach in the hours following the killings, and have warned the public that he is believed to be still armed and dangerous.

The three incidents, unconnected by investigators and carrying distinct circumstances, nonetheless converge into an unsettling pattern for a region that prides itself on relatively low violent crime rates compared to South Florida metros.

Indian River County Sheriff's officials and St. Lucie County law enforcement have not publicly addressed whether the clustering of incidents has prompted any coordinated regional response According to initial reports,. The Treasure Coast Violent Crimes Task Force According to available information, could play a role in resource-sharing, though no announcement has been made.

Reporters attempted to reach Indian River County Sheriff's Office public information staff and St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office for comment before deadline. Responses were not received in time for publication. This story will be updated.

WHAT TO DO: Anyone with information on the Wabasso fatal shooting should call the Indian River County Sheriff's Office at 772-569-6700 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS. The Fort Pierce shooting tip line is 772-467-6850 According to initial reports,. Anyone who spots the Vero Beach double-homicide suspect should not approach him — call 911 immediately. Indian River County Emergency Management can be reached at 772-567-0214.

Tiger Woods Arrested on Jupiter Island After High-Speed Rollover, Martin County Sheriff Says

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:54:32 +0000

Tiger Woods was arrested Friday afternoon near his Jupiter Island home after his Land Rover struck a pressure-cleaner trailer and rolled onto its side on South Beach Road, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek confirmed at a press conference following the crash.

Woods, 50, faces two misdemeanor charges: DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. He was booked into the Martin County Jail and held for a minimum of eight hours under Florida's mandatory DUI detention law before posting bail Friday night.

The crash occurred just before 2 p.m. at 281 South Beach Road — a two-lane residential road with a posted 30 mph speed limit, according to Budensiek. The sheriff said a pickup truck towing a pressure-cleaning trailer was traveling northbound and had begun pulling into a driveway when the driver spotted Woods' Range Rover closing fast in his mirror.

"He saw it coming, so he tried to edge off the side of the road," Budensiek said. "But this is a small two-lane road, and there was no shoulder to get off the side of the road."

Woods' vehicle clipped the rear of the trailer, causing the Land Rover to roll onto its driver's side. Woods crawled out through the passenger door. Neither he nor the truck's driver was injured. Whether Woods was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash remains unclear, Budensiek said.

Jupiter Island Police officers were first to respond and observed signs of impairment, prompting them to contact the sheriff's office. Martin County DUI investigators arrived and conducted field sobriety testing at the scene.

Woods submitted to a breathalyzer, registering triple zeroes — no detectable alcohol. He refused a urine test. Budensiek said investigators believe the impairment was caused by "some type of medication or drug," but acknowledged that because of the refused urine test, "we will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired on at the time of the crash." No drugs or medications were found inside the vehicle.

"He's cooperative," Budensiek said, "but he's not trying to incriminate himself."

Budensiek confirmed Woods was separated from the general jail population, citing safety concerns. "He'll pay the price, but he's not going to pay the price by getting punished in jail," the sheriff said.

Woods was not present at first appearance at the Martin County Courthouse Saturday morning According to available information,. His manager at Excel Sports did not respond to requests for comment.

This is Woods' second drug-related DUI arrest in Florida. In May 2017, Palm Beach County deputies found him asleep at the wheel with the engine running. Woods later pleaded guilty to reckless driving, paid a $250 fine, and completed DUI school. He attributed that incident to a bad reaction to prescription painkillers.

Friday's arrest came as Woods was weighing whether he was physically ready to compete in the Masters, beginning April 9, and facing a self-described soft deadline to accept the U.S. Ryder Cup captaincy for the 2027 matches in Ireland. He played in his indoor TGL golf league as recently as Tuesday night.

The state attorney's office for the 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers Martin County, has not announced whether it will pursue prosecution or offer a diversion agreement According to available information,. Martin County Sheriff's Office spokesperson could not be immediately reached for independent comment beyond the recorded press conference.

TC Sentinel is pursuing the official crash report, 911 call recordings, and court docket records through a public records request filed Friday evening with MCSO and the Martin County Clerk of Courts.

Tiger Woods Faces Martin County DUI Case After Jupiter Island Crash

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:54:32 +0000

Tiger Woods pleaded not guilty Tuesday to driving under the influence charges in Martin County, hours after the Martin County Sheriff's Office released an arrest report detailing bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, opioid pills in his pocket, and a failed field sobriety test following a rollover crash on Jupiter Island last week.

The case, now drawing national scrutiny from NPR, PBS, and wire services, runs through the Martin County courthouse — and local officials will shape its outcome.

The arrest report states deputies found two white pills identified as hydrocodone, a Schedule II opioid painkiller, in Woods' pocket at the scene. Woods, 50, told deputies he had taken prescription medication earlier that morning. His movements were described as slow and lethargic. He was sweating in the back seat of an air-conditioned patrol car.

Woods told deputies he had been looking at his phone and fiddling with his radio when his Land Rover clipped a truck on a residential stretch of road posted at 30 mph. The vehicle rolled onto its side. The truck sustained approximately $5,000 in damage. Neither Woods nor the truck driver was injured.

A Breathalyzer test showed no alcohol. Woods refused a urine test — a refusal that constitutes a separate charge under Florida law. He is charged with DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

The online docket for Martin County Circuit Court shows Woods entered a written not-guilty plea and plans to waive his appearance at an April 23 arraignment hearing.

The State Attorney's Office for the 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, has not publicly stated how it intends to prosecute the case. A spokesperson for that office did not respond to a request for comment before deadline According to initial reports,. How aggressively prosecutors pursue the DUI — whether through a deferred prosecution agreement, a plea deal, or trial — will be decided here, not in Augusta or on tour.

Woods' defense attorney, Douglas Duncan, has not responded to media inquiries since the plea was entered.

During the field sobriety test, deputies noted Woods limping and wearing a compression sock on his right knee. Woods disclosed he has undergone seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his right leg — injuries dating to a 2021 crash that left doctors weighing amputation. That medical history is likely to be central to any defense strategy.

Hours after the not-guilty plea, Woods announced on social media that he would step away to seek treatment. "This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery," he wrote.

The announcement means Woods will miss the Masters for the second consecutive year.

This is not Woods' first such episode in Florida. In 2017, he was found asleep at the wheel in Palm Beach County with multiple drugs in his system and later entered a diversion program According to available information,.

The crash scene on Jupiter Island sits within a quiet, beachside residential corridor where speed limits and road conditions make high-speed driving conspicuous. According to available information,

Local law enforcement has not issued further public comment since releasing the arrest report.

WHAT TO DO: Martin County residents seeking public records in this case, including the full arrest report and court docket, can access them through the Martin County Clerk of Courts at martinclerk.com or by calling (772) 288-5576. Martin County Emergency Management can be reached at (772) 287-1652.

Suspect Named in Random Fatal Stabbing of Elderly Woman in Martin County Neighborhood

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:01:54 +0000

A 25-year-old man with no known criminal history attacked and killed an elderly woman walking her dog in a quiet Martin County neighborhood Thursday, in what the sheriff's office is calling a random, unprovoked act of violence.

Kersten Francilus has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a woman in her 70s who was stabbed multiple times on the 6000 block of SE Black Oak Lane in the Southwood community. The victim's name has not been released by the Martin County Sheriff's Office as of Friday morning. Officials said

Sheriff John Budensiek said the victim sustained a "significant amount of stab wounds to the upper torso" from a steak knife. She died at the scene or shortly after. Officials said

Francilus was still stabbing the woman when a male neighbor — who asked not to be identified — rushed over after hearing screams. The neighbor told WPTV he had spoken with Francilus just moments before the attack and noticed something was off.

"He wasn't all there," the neighbor said, adding that Francilus was nonetheless speaking coherently at the time. When the neighbor tried to physically pull Francilus away from the victim, he said Francilus was too heavy and appeared oblivious. Francilus stopped only when deputies arrived and ordered him to the ground at gunpoint.

Prior to the attack, Francilus had been knocking on doors in the neighborhood and asking residents where a nearby bank was located. Budensiek confirmed there is no bank in the area. Deputies had been dispatched after neighbors reported a man at their doors behaving erratically — a call that puts the timeline of police response in close proximity to the stabbing itself.

Investigators have found no known connection between Francilus and the victim. The sheriff's office confirmed Francilus has no prior criminal record, but acknowledged one prior call to service at his residence. In that earlier incident, family members had contacted authorities reporting that Francilus was "acting erratically." No charges resulted from that call. Officials said

"So we don't know of any motive," Budensiek said. "We just simply know that we've had a horrendous crime that's taken place in this neighborhood."

A second neighbor described the victim as a familiar presence in Southwood, identifiable even in her final moments by the shoes she regularly wore on her walks. That neighbor said the woman's husband had died 10 to 15 years ago.

The investigation remains active. Prosecutors will determine whether charges will be elevated. Officials said

WHAT TO DO: Residents with information about this incident should contact the Martin County Sheriff's Office tip line at (772) 220-7060 or submit an anonymous tip to Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS (8477). For community safety concerns, contact Martin County Emergency Management at (772) 287-1652.