There's Actually A Simple Reason You See So Many 'Florida Man' Stories

Yes, People In Florida ARE Crazy, But That's Not Why You've Heard So Much About 'Florida Man'

You've heard of the "Florida Man" stories, but do you know why?

graciedough
graciedough Apr 14, 2019
73
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The Internet has recently been swarmed with a variety of "Florida Man" stories and all of the crazy and wild crimes they've committed. There's even a website where you can find all sorts of crazy crimes committed by Florida men. A Twitter user posted about a new "game" in a tweet, encouraging everyone to do a Google search of "Florida Man" along with their birthday. For example, I searched "Florida Man February 22" and found an article titled "Florida Man finds his way to Illinois, and two toilets led to his arrest." Interesting, right? Search for your birthday and I'm sure there will be several articles each featuring some weird crime committed by some weird Florida man.

But with everyone posting the crazy "Florida Man" stories they've found, not enough people are stopping and taking the time to figure out why they are seeing so many articles about insane Florida men.

I always knew that the people in Florida have a bit of a wild side to them, though I always just assumed there was something in the saltwater or the humidity got to their heads. Or maybe they were all under the influence of some Florida drug that makes every man do some unimaginable crimes. For being just one single state, Florida sure produces a lot of entertaining news content. But what if I told you that it isn't the saltwater or the humidity or a state-wide crazy drug? What if I told you that we can thank the Florida government for all of these stories of the wild and insane Florida men?

Well, that's what I'm here to tell you. Go ahead, give thanks to the great people in Tallahassee who made it possible for us to get countless moments of entertainment from all the "Florida Man" stories. Let me introduce you to the Florida Sunshine Law. Sunshine Laws are only in a few states, but luckily for us, Florida is one of them. Through Sunshine Laws, the public is able to view meetings, records, votes, deliberations, and other official actions, which would all be closed to the public in other states. The public can view government meeting minutes, documents, and arrest records. The Florida Sunshine Law provides regulations that require complete openness in both government and business.

Pretty cool, right?

In other states, many records are sealed and the public is not allowed to access them. But in Florida, reporters, websites, the public, really anyone can simply call a police department and request access to certain arrest records and receive them within minutes. Because most states don't have their own Sunshine Laws, the public isn't given as much information as those in Florida do. So there's a very big possibility that similar crazy things can be happening all over the country, but the records are sealed.

It's a pretty interesting and efficient law, and without it, we would have little to no "Florida Man" stories to entertain us. So while you're laughing at some crazy crime that a "Florida Man" committed, be sure to think of the Florida Sunshine Law and remember that the Florida government really did you a favor with that one.

Oh, and also, people in Florida actually are a little extra insane, so that may be a factor as well.

graciedough
graciedough Apr 14, 2019
At Florida Gulf Coast University

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10 Things You Should Know About The Jayme Closs Case

After 88 days in captivity, Jayme Closs, 13, has returned home.

Maggie Eckberg
Maggie Eckberg Jan 17, 2019
1507
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On October 15, 2018, Jayme Closs' life was forever changed when Jake Patterson, 21, killed her father and mother and took Jayme from her home. Sparking national attention, the entire nation was on the lookout for the young girl, but it was not until January 10th, 2019 that Jayme was finally found. With nothing less than sheer bravery, Jayme managed to free herself from Patterson's home in Gordon, Wisconsin, nearly 70 miles from her home in Barron, Wisconsin. Patterson now faces double homicide, kidnapping, and burglary charges, adding up to more than a life sentence in prison. This case will now be written into our history books and Jayme will be forever known as an incredibly courageous and resilient young lady.

1. Jake Patterson, 21, singled out Jayme as "the girl he was going to take"

On the way to his new job at Saputo Cheese Factory in Almena, Wisconsin, Patterson found himself behind a school bus that stopped in front of the home of an unknown red-haired girl. He did not know this girl's name nor who else lived in the home, but he did determine one thing immediately, this was "the girl he was going to take."

2. Patterson killed both of Jayme's parents before kidnapping her

On October 15th, Patterson decided to carry out his plan to kidnap Jayme. Walking up the front door with the intention to force entry into the Closs' home, Patterson shot her father, James Closs when he answered the door. Jayme and her mother, Denise Closs, locked themselves in the bathroom after hearing the gunshots. After locating them inside the house, Patterson broke down the bathroom door where he found Denise holding Jayme in a bear hug. Patterson demanded that Denise put tape over her daughter's mouth, and after this demand was fulfilled, Patterson shot Denise Closs and took Jayme from her home.

3. Jake Patterson tried to kidnap Jayme two times previously

A week prior to October 15th, Patterson arrived at the Closs' home, but was scared off by seeing multiple cars in their driveway. A few days later, he visited the home again, but decided against carrying out his plan in that instance after seeing lights on and people walking around inside the home.

4. Jayme was trapped underneath a bed

Patterson tied Jayme's hands and ankles together and placed her in the trunk of her car. He then drove 70 miles before arriving at his home in Gordon, where he made Jayme hide under his bed and then proceeded to stack weighted laundry bins and totes around the bed so Jayme would be unable to escape. On several occasions, Patterson would force Jayme to stay under the bed for 12 hours straight without any food, water or bathroom breaks.

5. Jayme managed to free herself on January 10th, after 88 days in captivity

On January 10th, Patterson informed Jayme that he was going to be gone for around 5 hours. Jayme decided that this was her chance at freedom. She managed to push herself out from underneath the bed and escape the household. Luckily, Jeanne Nutter, a neighbor of Patterson, happened to be out walking her dog when Jayme escaped. Nutter, immediately putting the pieces together in her head, recognized Jayme and brought her to the home of Kristen and Peter Kasinskas while they called the police. Nutter decided against bringing Jayme to her own home because it was too close to Patterson's.

6. Patterson abused Jayme both physically and verbally

Patterson, a short-tempered man, constantly reminded Jayme that she was not to move out from underneath the bed without his permission. On one occasion, Patterson hit Jayme with a handle used to clean blinds and told her that the punishment would be much worse if she angered him again or tried to escape. Patterson would hit his fist against a wall and scream at Jayme when she tried to get out from underneath the bed "to the point where he knew she was scared and she knew that she better never try that again."

7. Patterson thought he had gotten away with it

After two weeks without being caught, Patterson determined that he had gotten away with the kidnapping and the double homicide. When Patterson returned home on January 10th to find that Jayme had escaped, he spent several minutes driving around looking for her. However, upon his arrival home, he was met by the police and he knew that he had been caught.

8. According to a high school friend, "there were no red flags"

Dylan Fisher, a high school friend of Patterson, stated that there was nothing overtly "off" about Patterson. He was on the quiz bowl team in high school and he loved his parents and his dog, much like other students. However, upon graduation, Patterson stated that he did not wish to keep in contact anymore and had no social media presence, but beyond that, Patterson created no cause for concern.

9. Patterson will face double homicide, kidnapping, and burglary charges

Patterson faces a mandatory life sentence in prison if convicted on either homicide charge along with a 40-year and 15-year sentence for kidnapping and burglary, respectively. His bail has been set at $5 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 6th.

10. Closs is now reunited with her family who will "give her all the love she needs"

Jayme Closs been reunited with her cousin Lindsey Smith and two of her aunts, Sue Allard and Lynn Closs who are beyond thrilled by her arrival home. It should come as no surprise that Jayme's recovery will not be easy. She is returning home to find her life completely changed, but Allard stated that they are "surrounding her with love and making sure she feels safe."

Maggie Eckberg
Maggie Eckberg Jan 17, 2019
At University of Wisconsin, Madison

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'House Of Horrors' Parents Sentenced To 25 To Life

The Turpin's were sentenced for their horrific crimes of child abuse.

Sydney Alexander
Sydney Alexander Apr 30, 2019
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The house of David and Louse Turpin has been called "The House of Horrors" for a very good reason.

They plead guilty to the 14 counts of abuse and torture of their 12 children, ranging in age from 2 to 29. All of the children were reported to be seriously malnourished, except for the 2-year-old who seems to have been spared the abuse that their older siblings were enduring.

The horrific 911 call that sent police to their house was played in court, detailing the severity of their horrific living conditions, including being beaten, living in filth, starved, and never being allowed out of the house.

It was a blessing for the children that their parents plead guilty, as it spared them the difficulty of having to testify in court and relive the abuse. However, they were present at the courtroom during the sentencing and requested that police comfort dog Raider stays by their sides for the ordeal.

They were seen petting the dog throughout the day as the Judge and audience were regaled with all of the horrible details, including partial audio from the 911 call mentioned above. The eldest sibling did make a witness impact statement while staring down her parents who were just across the room.

The parents claimed that their homeschooling and "discipline" had the best intentions. The Judge, Bernard Schwartz called them "cruel and inhumane" for shackling, starving, and depriving their children of showers.

As they go to face a punishment that is fitting of their crime, the children begin for the first time to live normal lives and learn about themselves. While they have not spoken to their parents since their arrest about a year ago, and have said that they still suffer nightmares, they are doing their best to be survivors, not victims. Two of the children are said to be college, one for software engineering. They are going to movies and concerts, and one sibling has apparently become extremely good at Scrabble.

Their attorney, Jack Osborn, seems to be proud of his clients and speaks of their resilience.

I wish the Turpin children happiness as they begin their new life and am glad to see their parents jailed for their crimes.

Sydney Alexander
Sydney Alexander Apr 30, 2019
At Western Washington University

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