Tallahassee Democrat from Tallahassee, Florida • Page 1

Vblume 106. Issue 47, Feb. 16. 2011 75 Cents FAMU HIGH GIRLS MOVE ON SALTER HAS ANOTHER BIG GAME FOR RATTLERS PAGE1SP0RTS Tallahasseeocom 75 CENTS I WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2011 Jl ALLAH AS I Promoting democracy since 1905 mm TT ii i Gov. Scott gets cool reception at DCA First-degree murder Kidnapping Theft of more than $300 Jury convicts Gary Michael Hilton in 2007 slaying of Cheryl Dunlap i li A' J'- yy By Jim Ash FLORIDA CAPITAL BUREAU CHIEF Gov.

Rick Scott got a closed-door briefing from the top brass, and i faced some tough questions from the rank and file when he toured the state's growth-management agency Tuesday. Scott faced a lobby full of icy stares at the Department of Community Affairs as he blamed the state's stalled economy on overregulation, one of his favorite themes on the campaign trail. Scott wants to merge the department, with its $315-million budget and 514 positions, into the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation. It will cost scores of state workers their jobs, Scott acknowledged, but it's necessary for economic development, he argued. Scott's proposed state spending plan cuts 318 positions and $668 million from the department's budget, essentially eliminating it, in a broad restructuring.

"I look forward to going through with the restructuring," Scott said. Scott said he was amazed to learn that the developers of Ave Maria University in Collier County had to get "75 or 78 permits, just for the land." "So what I'm focusing on is creating jobs, what impediments are there in our state to creating jobs," he said. "Why are there so many rules? Name one regulation that you couldn't live without." Former DCA Secretary Tom Pelham, considered the father of Florida's growth management laws, angrily pointed out last month that the department has already issued more permits for development than the economy can support. See DCA, PAGE 2 NEWS GLENN BEILDemocrat Gary Michael Hilton speaks to members of his defense team during closing arguments In his murder trial Tuesday. A 1 I -ill Chief Assistant State Attorney Georgia Cappleman watches a video during closing arguments Tuesday.

"What could be more cold-blooded than sawing off the head and hands of another human being?" Cappleman asked Jurors In her final remarks. "She died an unimaginable death In the cold woods, out with a man who thought of her as nothing other than his prey." Jurors took less than four hours to return the verdicts. By Jennifer Portman DEMOCRAT SENIOR WRITER Jurors took less than four hours Tuesday afternoon to find Gary Michael Hilton guilty of kidnapping, killing and robbing Crawford-ville nurse Cheryl Dunlap in December 2007. Hilton sat stony-faced as the verdicts were read by Circuit Judge James Hankinson. Dunlap's cousin wiped away tears.

After seven days of testimony in the case, jurors convicted the 64-year-old drifter and confessed Georgia killer of three of the four charges against him. Jurors found evidence proved he took more than $300 from Dunlap's bank account at an ATM, but not that he stole her white Toyota Camry. The jury of six men and six women, however, sided with prosecutors who argued that Hilton abducted the 46-year-old Sunday school teacher from Leon Sinks Geological Area and kept her captive for two days before killing her, cutting off her head and hands and dumping her body in the Apalachicola National Forest. Hilton, who tried to cover up his crime by incinerating her head and hands in a campsite fire pit, now faces the death penalty. After the jury was sent home for a day's break, Dunlap's cousin Gloria Tucker said she was thankful that Hilton was found guilty, but reserved further comment until he is sentenced.

"The death penalty, hopefully, is given," Tucker said. The sentencing phase of the trial will begin Thursday and is expected to take two days. Hilton's lead Assistant Public Defender Ines Suber said she was disappointed in the verdicts, but that her team is preparing a vigorous argument against capital punishment. State Attorney Willie Meggs, See HILTON, page 2 news Uri Online E-edition subscribers, click here to see photos from the Gary Michael Hilton trial. TALLAHASSEE.COM www.tallahassee.comhiltonphotos Subscribers, activate your account to see photo galleries from the trial and watch live-streaming video from the sentencing phase beginning Thursday.

Need help activating? See Page 2 News. Timeline SUMMER CAMP DEADLINE TODAY The deadline has arrived for those who want to submit a listing for the annual summer camp guide published by the Tallahassee Democrat. Submissions must be entered online at Tallahassee.com camps by 5 p.m. today. (Feb.

16); the guide will publish March 9. The section will list overnight camps and gen-, eral day camps as well as camps in academics, arts, faith, music, nature, performance and sports. Your organization can have a maximum of two listings in each category. Questions? Call Susan Beason at 599-2320 or e-mail DEMOCRAT STAFF REPORT Gary jMichael Hilton, who was convicted Tuesday of the December 2007 murder of Cheryl Dunlap, confessed to the killing a month later of hiker Meredith Emerson in Georgia. He also is a suspect in several other deaths.

2007 Oct. 21: Jack and Irene Bryant, a couple in their 80s, disappear in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest. Someone uses their ATM card after Michael Hilton in the woods off of LL Wallace Road in Wakulla County. Dec. 1: Cheryl Dunlap, a 46-year-old nurse living in Crawfordville, is seen alive for the last time by a Tallahassee couple at about 1 p.m.

reading on the boardwalk beside Hammock Sink at Leon Sinks Geological Area near the Leon-Wakulla county line. State prosecutors contend Gary Michael Hilton abducted Dunlap See TIMELINE, page 2 NEWS their disappearance. Nov. 9: Irene Bryant's body is found covered with leaves. Authorities are calling the case a double murder.

A warrant for Hilton's arrest on a 1972 charge of receiving stolen property is dismissed in Miami. Nov. 17: A U.S. Forestry agent in the Apalachicola National Forest in Leon County runs Hilton's van tag and speaks with Hilton. Thanksgiving week: Witnesses see and talk to an animated Gary NEWS ON THE GO: Get 1 Breaking INDEX WEATHER K( SMI news on your neduiiiics uenveieu LJl ceil phone to your inbox by visit- "rni Today: High 60s MAIN NUMBER ADVERTISING 850599-2100 599-2210, 671-6544 CIRCUIATION NEWS TIP HOTIME 8009992271 850592233 TAIIAHASSM DEMOCRAT Vommt 106.

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