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Judge rules no delay in sentencing for Dontae Morris

 
Published May 20, 2014

TAMPA — Convicted of killing two Tampa police officers, Dontae Morris will be sentenced next week despite the ongoing federal investigation into a former detective involved in his case.

Earlier this month, a defense attorney asked that the sentencing be delayed until the investigation of Eric Houston is over.

Houston, who was fired from the Tampa Police Department earlier this month, supervised the Morris crime scene and testified during his trial. Authorities have not revealed the nature of the accusations against Houston, citing grand jury proceedings.

Prosecutors said that Houston was not a crucial witness and that his testimony could be corroborated by others.

In his order, Hillsborough Circuit Judge William Fuente ruled the sentencing would go ahead.

Morris is scheduled to be sentenced May 30 for the shooting deaths of Officers Jeffrey Kocab and David Curtis during a traffic stop. A jury recommended that Morris be sentenced to death.