City Is Again Being Sued

for Alleged Police Brutality
by a Key West Cop

LAWSUIT ALLEGES THAT OFFICER
SANCHEZ USED EXCESSIVE FORCE
DURING TRAFFIC STOP AND OTHER
OFFICERS CONSPIRED TO COVER
IT UP

KWTN Team Report

The City of Key West is
again being sued for damages
for alleged use of excessive
force by a police officer.

On the evening of June
20 of last year, Sal Unuvar, 47,
was parking his car across the
street from his Flagler Avenue
home. Before he was able to get
out of the car, Key West Police
Officer Luis Sanchez pulled up
behind him in his patrol car,
blue lights flashing.

According to a lawsuit
filed for Unuvar by Attorney
Richard Rumrell, Sanchez
approached the driver’s side
of the car and “aggressively”
demanded to see his driver’s
license and registration.

When Unuvar asked
what he had done, Sanchez reportedly responded that he
looked “suspicious.” Unuvar
is an American citizen born in
Turkey.

Unuvar ’s complaint alleges
that, as he was reaching
into his pocket to get his license,
Sanchez opened the door of the
car, pulled him out and slammed
him face down on the pavement.

Jim Van Fleet

at
Cowboy Bill’s

JIM VAN FLEET & the Reign woll be at Cowboy Biil’s for three
nights, starting tonight, Friday, Decembr 5. Showtime is 10 tonight
and Saturday, and 9 on Sunday night. Jeff Harris entertains
tonight, Friday, 6-9.

God’s Fiddler

Back on the Job

by Rhonda
Linseman-Saunders

After a recent stand-off
with city officials, a local fixture
is back on the job, playing
hymns for God just outside Fast
Buck Freddie’s on the corner of
Fleming and Duval.

Reverend William McKinzie,
Ph.D., in his signature
coat and tie, has weaved himself
into the colorful fabric of
Old Town with his violin music
and message from the Key West
Bible Class. He had been doing
so for many years with permission
from former Assistant
City Manager John Jones, but
without an official permit.

A
February, 2006 letter from Jones
said that the reverend “has the constitutional right to conduct a
street ministry which includes
preaching religious concerns
and playing religious music on
various types of instruments on
numerous street corners in the
City of Key West.”

Bourbon Street Bluesman

Bryan Lee at the Parrot

NEW ORLEANS LEGEND
BRYAN LEE starts a three-day
gig at the Green Parrot this
afternoon, Friday, December
5, with a 5:30 “sound check.”
Then he returns for 10 o’clock
shows on both Friday and
Saturday nights. Then, on
Sunday afternoon, he closes
out a nine-hour benefit for
local musician Marty Stonely
(see page 21) with a threehour
“super sound check,”
starting at 5:30.

The last time
that Bryan was scheduled to
appear at the Parrot, he had
to cancel to appear on the
Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Special note: On Saturday
night, there’s a special party
to mark the 25th anniversary
of the day that Jim Bean
purchased the Green Parrot.

Vanden Brook’s Election

Lawyer Has Baggage

KENDALL COFFEY IS A FORMER
U.S. ATTORNEY. THE REASON
FOR THAT IS THAT HE HAD TO
RESIGN IN 1996 AFTER BITING
A LAP DANCER IN A NUDIE BAR.
HE SHOULD FIT RIGHT IN WHILE
HE’S WORKING ON THE CASE
HERE IN KEY WEST

by Dennis Reeves Cooper

As you probably know,
Circuit Judge candidate Mary
Vanden Brook has contested
her four-vote election loss to
Tegan Slaton by suing just about
anybody who had anything
to do with the election or the
recount. That includes Slaton,
Supervisor of Elections Harry
Sawyer, the Monroe County
Canvassing Board (which
includes Judge Wayne Miller,
Judge Ruth Becker and Tax Collector
Denise Henriquez) and
the state Canvassing Commission
(which includes Governor
Charlie Crist, Lt. Governor Jeff
Kottkamp and Attorney General
Bill McCollum).

In the lawsuit, filed last
week here in County Court,
Vanden Brook alleges that election
officials used inconsistent
standards in evaluating ballots
and improperly counted some
ballots. She wants the court to
order another election or, simply,
declare her the winner.
Judge David Audlin has
been assigned to hear the
case.

To plead her case, Vanden
Brook has brought in famed
Miami Attorney Kendall Coffey.
Back in 2000, Coffey was one of
Al Gore’s lawyers during the
presidential election recount
in Florida.

Raven’s Back

at the BottleCap

RAVEN COOPER is back at the BottleCap Lounge, performing
every Thursday 9 ‘til midnight.

SPECIAL COMMENTARY

What’s Happening to That
Terrorist in India?

by Dennis Reeves Cooper

The terrorist attack in India
dominated the international
news last weekend. Almost 200
people were killed, mostly innocent
civilians, many shot down
in cold blood. All the terrorists
were reportedly killed— except
one. He is being questioned by
Indian interrogators.

Now, had that attack
happened here in the United
States, the bleeding heart liberals
would already be out in
force to try to make sure that
this lone killer is being treated
with love and respect as he is
being questioned. American
law enforcement officers would
not be able to shine a bright light
in his eyes or deprive him of
any sleep or expose him to loud
noises for long periods of time.

They sure as hell wouldn’t be
allowed to waterboard him or
repeatedly kick the crap out of
him or cut off any of his fingers
or other appendages.

Gerd Rube

at
Willie T’s

GERD RUBE is at Willie T’s on Duval Street this weekend, Saturday
and Sunday, December 6-7, starting at 7pm. He’s at Sloppy
Joe’s today, Friday, noon ‘til 4:45.

It’s Beginning

to
Look a Lot Like
Christmas

HOLIDAY PARADE— Santa arrived in Key West Monday
with the annual tree lighting ceremony, and he’s sticking
around for a festive holiday season. Key West’s annual Holiday
Parade is the first thing on Santa’s agenda. Beginning at 7 p.m.
this Saturday, December 6, the parade starts at the corner of
Truman and White streets. It will flow down Truman to Duval,
ending at Caroline Street. The judge’s stand will be located at
the corner of Duval and Fleming streets. This year promises
to be one of the best holiday parades in memory with over 50
entrants. In keeping with tradition, Santa and Mrs. Claus will
ride at the end of the parade.

THE CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY FESTIVAL is set for this
Sunday, December 7. The festival runs from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
at Bayview Park. Food venders, artists, and crafters will offer
goods and goodies. There will be face painting, cookie decorating,
bounce houses and even a pirate or two.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE-MAKING PARTY— All are
invited to this annual event this Saturday, December 6, in the
garden at the Oldest House Museum, 322 Duval Street, from
10am ‘til 2pm. Music and refreshments. Info: 294-9501.

CONCERTS— The Key West String Orchestra will present
its Christmas Concert this Sunday, December 7, at 4pm at St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church, 401 Duval Street. The Key West High School
Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Bands will present their Winter
Concert in the school’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday
evening, December 11, at 7pm. Tickets are $3 at the door.

THE LIGHTED BOAT PARADE is set for Saturday
evening, December 13, starting at 8pm in Key West Harbor. It’s
not too late to enter your boat. Info: Evalena or Sheree at 292-
3302. Sponsored by the Schooner Wharf Bar and Capt. Morgan
Rum.

Robert Douglas Band

At the Schooner Wharf

THE ROBERT DOUGLAS BAND will be at Schooner Whaf Bar tonight and tomorrow night,
Friday and Saturday, December 5-6, 7 ‘til midnight.