Palmetto man acquitted in theater slaying back in jail

BRADENTON -- A Palmetto man found not guilty in the fatal 2014 shooting of a Sarasota teen, was arrested on multiple charges, including possession of a weapon by a delinquent, reckless driving and resisting an officer without violence, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

Frank Brice Jr., 21, who in March 2015 was found not guilty of killing 17-year-old Teria'le Rawls, was arrested at 12:54 a.m. Thursday in the 600 block of 23rd Avenue West in Bradenton.

At 12:32 a.m. Thursday while on patrol, officers reportedly observed a silver Mitsubishi run a stop sign at 19th Avenue West and Ninth Street West, stopping in the officers lane of travel. According to a report, police went around the vehicle to stop it for the infraction, but the Mitsubishi sped southbound on Ninth Street West before crossing into the left turn lane in the 2200 block of Ninth Street West and then into the northbound lane of travel. Police said the suspect vehicle nearly struck another northbound vehicle and then struck a large sign at 2509 Ninth St. W.

Police saw Brice exit the vehicle and begin running from the crash, according to the report. Police chased Brice for several blocks before losing him. A police K-9 tracked Brice to a residence's backyard in the 600 block of 23rd Avenue West in Bradenton.

On Feb. 5, Brice was seen by police driving a four-door white sedan. According to a report, an officer knew Brice did not have a valid driver's license and followed him to the Bradenton Village Apartment Complex. Police said Brice exited from the driver's door and began to walk toward the officer. The office reported smelling a strong odor of marijuana coming from Brice. When asked by the officer why was he driving if his license was suspended, Brice shrugged. He was arrested and charged with driving while license suspended and, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office website, released the following day on $120 bond.

Brice was scheduled to appear in court March 7, but failed to do so and a bench warrant was issued for this arrest.

"I came late," Brice said before Manatee Circuit Judge Susan Maulucci during a first appearance Thursday. "They never called my name."

Brice was charged with possession of a weapon by a Florida delinquent, possession of marijuana no more than 20 grams, accident involving damage to a vehicle/property, reckless driving, resisting an officer without violence, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, and not answering a summons, according to the sheriff's office website. He was held in Manatee County jail on bonds totaling $9,860.

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 11:39 PM with the headline "Palmetto man acquitted in theater slaying back in jail ."