The Facts

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On December 14, 2003 Anthony Wayne Walker flew to Sanford Florida from Rochester, NY to attend court. This court date was to receive custody of his 4-year-old daughter who was exposed to abuse, while in her mother’s care. Anthony was present in the Seminole County Court on December 15, 2003 with his court appointed lawyer A.A. McClanahan. A caseworker named Sandy Cuba ordered Anthony to try to find a residence in Sanford, Fl. This was to insure that Anthony’s daughter would not be separated from her younger brother. This order forced Anthony to stay in Seminole County for a total of 17 days. During this time, Anthony stayed at the Budget Inn Motel in Sanford , Florida. To assist with his expenses, Anthony received Western Unions money transfers from the nearby 711 Gas Station.

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On December 14, 2003, Anthony received his first Western Union money transfer. While entering the store, Anthony was told he could not bring his bag into the store. The clerk suggested he leave it behind the store counter. Anthony left his bag behind the counter and obtained help to receive his Western Union from Lloyd Scott, the 711-store clerk. After receiving the Western Union, Anthony left the store without grabbing his bag. From the motel, Anthony called the 7-11 store and asked about his bag. Lloyd Scott stated that the bag was gone and the he did not touch it.

 

Anthony could not find housing in Sanford, FL. Sandy Cuba scheduled an appointment to do a home visit in Rochester, NY.  Anthony left Sanford, FL and traveled to Quincy Fl to help his mother bring his grandfather back to Rochester.  Anthony, his mother and grandfather flew from Quincy, Fl to Rochester, NY on January 18, 2004.

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On Feb 12, 2004, Anthony was arrested and detained in Rochester, NY for a fugitive warrant issued by Seminole County Court for two separate cases 04-CF-129B and 04-CF-295B. Anthony made his first appearance in the Seminole County Courtroom on May 5, 2004. At this time, Anthony was appointed a Public Defender named Mac-Howard. Seminole County courts declared Anthony indigent. This Public Defender stayed on the case for 5 days before being granted a motion to withdrawal on May 10, 2004. Anthony was appointed another Public Defender by the name of Michael Nielsen on May 11, 2004. On June 21, 2004, Anthony made a $40,000 bond.

 

On February 9, 2005, Anthony’s Public Defender, Michael Nielsen entered a motion to withdrawal, claiming that Anthony had money to pay for a paid attorney. Judge Kenneth Lester granted the motion to withdrawal on April 7, 2005. He also issued a bench warrant against Anthony because he had not hired a paid lawyer. Judge Lester did not sign the warrant; he only placed Anthony in custody. Judge Lester sent two lawyers by the name of Milan Bo Samargya and Bill Grant to Anthony. These lawyers asked Anthony who was paying for his flights from New York to Florida. Anthony explained that his parents took care of these arrangements to make sure that he made it to his court dates. Bo Samargya offered to call Anthony’s mother to tell her what took place in court, so Anthony gave Bo Samargya his mother’s phone number. Anthony was released from jail and confronted by both Bo and Bill telling him, his mother hired them to take the case. When Anthony returned home to Rochester, NY; he found out through his mother that both Bill and Bo told Anthony’s mother that Anthony said hire them. So she did. Anthony then told his mother that this was untrue and that he gave Bill and Bo the phone number to contact her to let her know what happened during court and why he would not be on the plane returning home to New York.

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On October 26, 2005, Judge Kenneth Lester granted Bill and Bo’s motion to withdraw for not paying the full total of their fee. Anthony’s parents paid $19,000, borrowing from their retirement on a $23,000 fee and had met every end of the agreement set for payment. Judge Lester, after granting this motion to withdrawal, appointed another public defender by the name of Michael Nappi on November 3, 2005. Michael Nappi remained on Anthony’s case from November 3, 2005 until he was granted a motion for withdrawal on July 3, 2007.

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On July 13, 2007,  Michael Nielsen was reappointed to Anthony’s case. Michael contacted Anthony to be present for a court date 2 days before the actual date. Anthony made it known to Michael Nielson that he was financially unable to make it to Florida with such short notice. Michael Nielson assured Anthony that he would get the courts to reschedule. This was a lie. On August 14, 2007, Judge Debra S. Nelson signed and issued a bench warrant based on Anthony’s failure to appear.

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On August 19, 2007, in Rochester NY, Anthony’s parents home was surrounded by police officers and SWATT. Anthony’s parents both gave consent to search the house. Even leaving the front door open for the officers to go in and search for Anthony. Rather the officers shot tear gas and grenades through windows, destroying the Walker’s home. This mayhem continued for 8 hours. Finally the officers entered the home, tearing down walls and the ceiling, the floor, destroying food products and personal items inside the home. Anthony was found in the basement of his parent’s home. Anthony was placed in custody to be transported to Monroe County jail in Rochester, NY awaiting relocation to Florida.

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On April 9, 2008, Anthony appeared before the 18 Judicial Circuit Court of Seminole County Florida. On April 23, 2008, Judge Debra S. Nelson granted Michael Nielsen’s motion to withdraw as Anthony’s attorney. A total of 5 other attorneys were appointed and allowed to withdraw. Then, Ted Culhan was appointed to represent Anthony on May 21, 2008. On August 14, 2008, Judge Nelson appointed Debra Ferwerda to Anthony’s case. On October 13, 2008, Anthony and his newly appointed Public Defender Debra Ferwerda selected a jury and on October 16, 2008 Anthony went to a one-day trial and was found guilty.

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