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Long Trial Coming For Builder

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By KYLE MARTIN, Hernando Today

Published: November 20, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - More than 100 people will take the stand when Steven Bartlett, owner of the now defunct Coral Bay Construction, goes to trial in February.

Attorneys expect the trial to take four to six weeks. Jurors will be asked to determine whether Bartlett is guilty of grand theft of $100,000 or more. Prosecutors say Bartlett pocketed nearly $1 million given to him to build homes.

The trial is expected to start Feb. 18. Marion County senior Circuit Judge William Swigert has been appointed to hear the case.
Swigert previously presided over the civil dispute between Weeki Wachee Springs and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

In the interim, attorneys from both sides will continue preparing for the trial, although Assistant State Attorney Phil Hanson said the state "is pretty much done."

Bartlett's attorney, Donald Harrison, confirmed his client is ready to go to trial and will not accept a plea bargain.

Hanson expects a lengthy trial, because each person claiming to be left with an unfinished home has to testify.

"There's no way to short-circuit it," he said.

Jury selection also could prove to be a problem. Prosecutors are required to inform prospective jurors that the trial could take a month or more. Finding people willing to commit that much time will be difficult, Hanson predicted.

There are no plans to change the venue.

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