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Despite Controversy, Riders Hit The Road With Lunsford

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DAVID SOMMER

Published: February 23, 2008

Updated: 02/23/2008 02:04 pm

NEW PORT RICHEY - Despite stormy weather and looming litigation, about 200 motorcyclists took part in a motorcycle ride and fundraiser in memory of Jessica Lunsford.

The group, which included Lunsford's father Mark, pulled out of the New Port Richey Harley Davidson dealership about noon and headed north to Crystal River, where Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy was scheduled to give a speech in Lunsford's memory.

On Wednesday, Dawsy received a letter from Mark Lunsford's attorneys alerting him that Lunsford expects to file a lawsuit alleging that negligence led to the death of his daughter.

In 2005, 9-year-old Jessica Marie "Jessie" Lunsford was abducted from her Homosassa trailer. After several days of searching, her murdered body was found buried near the trailer of John Evander Couey.

Last year, Couey was found guilty of Jessie's abduction and rape. He was sentenced to death.
The motorcycle ride is fundraiser for Mark Lunsford's child advocacy-focused charities.

Lunsford declined comment at the kickoff of Saturday's event.

Pasco County Sheriff Bob White attended the event's kick off, but did not ride.
"It's too wet for me," he said, referring to a line of storms that moved through the area before the event started.

White echoed the statement Dawsy released Friday, saying that the potential lawsuit and advocacy for child safety are separate issues and that the one should not affect the other.

But he also defended Dawsy, saying: "Sheriff Dawsy feels a tremendous amount of responsibility for all the citizens of his county."

Reporter David Sommer can be reached at (727) 815-1087 or dsommer@tampatrib.com.

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