John Torres

1 week ago | yahoo.com | John Torres

The state has agreed to vacate Jeff Abramowski's 2006 conviction for the murder of Cortney Crandall in Palm Shores based on new DNA testing of the murder weapons. But what does that exactly mean for the Melbourne man who has spent the last 23 years in prison? What's Next? There is a status hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday before Circuit Judge Steve Henderson at the Moore Justice Center in Viera. Why is a status hearing needed if the motion is unopposed?

1 week ago | floridatoday.com | John Torres

The only cell phone Jeff Abramowski has ever owned was an old Nokia flip phone with the blue screen. He's also never been on Facebook, Twitter or Spotify. He's never driven a car with a back-up camera, used touchpay with a debit card or streamed a television show. He's never seen any of the Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings movies. "He's going to be shocked at an iPhone," his daughter Jamie told me this week, hopeful that her dad will soon take his first breath as a free man in 23 years.

2 weeks ago | floridatoday.com | John Torres

John A. TorresFLORIDA TODAY columnist John A. Torres hosted Murder on the Space Coast Live at the Surfside Playhouse in Cocoa Beach Wednesday evening with guests Stanley Brizz, head of the Brevard County Opioid Abuse task force, Nic Sandberg, private investigator working the Brandy Hall case, Jamie LeBlanc, Jeff Abramowski’s daughter and Laura Siemers – Jeff Abramowski’s attorney.

3 weeks ago | floridatoday.com | John Torres

The last State Attorney was elusive, when it came to seeking comments for stories. He seemed to take personally some of my pieces that questioned convictions that took place decades before he took office. That's why I was thrilled to hear that newly-elected State Attorney Will Scheiner agreed to an interview. And I'm not talking about 15 minutes on the phone. Breaking News reporter Jeff (J.D.) Gallop and I spent more than 90 minutes with Scheiner in his Viera office on a recent Thursday afternoon.

3 weeks ago | floridatoday.com | John Torres

People living on the streets and wooded areas of Brevard County have to be able to take things in stride. Obstacles, letdowns, disappointments are pretty much part of daily life for them. To be able to survive living outside, they need to be resilient and practical. Maybe that's why just about every one of the Daily Bread's clients who has spoken with Executive Director Jeffrey Njus, understands why the Melbourne soup kitchen and day shelter is closing for good on May 9.