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Suspect In Deadly Attack Reportedly Smoked Crack

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By JOSH POLTILOVE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

HAINES CITY - After Casey Weldon Till attacked a family Sunday night near Haines City, killing one person and stabbing two others in what appears to be a random act of violence, he went home and told his family what he had done, Polk County sheriff's deputies said.

Till told his wife that he had screwed up and would be in prison for life, an arrest affidavit states. He also called his mother and told her he was in a car crash "and sliced some people up."

Deputies found him locked in a bathroom. He had cut his wrists.

Till told investigators he had smoked crack cocaine before attacking the family, sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said.

Investigators arrested Till, 26, at his Haines City home. He was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, carjacking and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer. He was being held in Polk County Jail on Tuesday.

The attack occurred about 11 p.m. Sunday when the family was heading to Poinciana after visiting Pinellas County. The family was eastbound on Lake Hatchineha Road, traveling in two vehicles.

Mario Despaigne was driving his wife, Odalis Cespedes, and infant granddaughter, Johanna Despaigne, in a 2000 Nissan. Angel Gonzalez was driving behind the Nissan in a 2008 Toyota. Gonzalez and Ivon Despaigne, a passenger in the Toyota, are parents of Johanna Despaigne, the sheriff's office said.

The Nissan and Toyota stopped at Lake Hatchineha and Watkins roads in Haines City.

That's when Till used a Ford minivan to rear-end the Toyota and attack a family he did not know, investigators said.

"According to Ivon, Angel exited the vehicle to see what had occurred and returned immediately with his neck lacerated by Casey Till," the affidavit states. "Ivon exited the vehicle and was confronted by an angry Casey Till. Casey Till was using profanity and stabbed Ivon in the left side of her neck. This wound was deep enough to affect arteries at her spine. Ivon went on to advise that Casey Till took possession of her vehicle and attempted to run her over with it."

Till then crashed the Toyota several times into Mario Despaigne's vehicle.

Despaigne told his wife to run.

She did, and Till struck her with the vehicle, possibly breaking her leg, the affidavit states.

Till turned the vehicle around.

"Mario witnessed the suspect strike his wife and her being swept under the vehicle being driven by the suspect and causing her death," according to the affidavit. "The suspect, then, exited Angel's vehicle and threatened him with a knife by pulling it across his own throat in a gesturing motion. Mario told the suspect it was OK and was showing the suspect his granddaughter in an attempt to calm him."

Cespedes, 42, of Kissimmee, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Angel Gonzalez climbed into the minivan and tried to strike Till.

Till was knocked down and fled into a wooded area on the side of Lake Hatchineha Road.

Lake Hamilton Police Department Officer David Hurst was en route to work Sunday night when he came upon the scene. Hurst was trying to help the family when Till returned.

Hurst pulled his .45-caliber handgun, positioned himself at Till's front driver's side door and told Till to get out of the minivan. But Till revved the engine and drove off, striking Hurst's arm and body with the vehicle's open door, the affidavit states. Hurst wasn't hurt.

Despaigne, 19, and Gonzalez, 21, both of Kissimmee, were taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

A prescription pill bottle at the scene helped investigators track Till to his home, 1090 Shady Cove Road E., Lot 13.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib.com.

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