MIAMI-DADE OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY, 11th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

press releases


2007 Releases

The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office is dedicated to providing accurate information to the public and media. If you are a member of the working media and would like an interview with the State Attorney, or you need information on a case, would like to talk to a specific assistant state attorney or are looking for an expert in a certain area of prosecution, please contact our public information officers Ed Griffith or Terry Chavez.

Below you'll find recent news releases issued by this office.



ED GRIFFITH Public Information Officer
PHONE: 305-547-0535TERRY CHAVEZ Hispanic Media Relations Public Information Officer
PHONE: 305-547-0535

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Contact: Terry Chavez 305-547-0535 12/26/07
Obituary for Mrs. Marylou Fitzgibbons Fernández, the mother of Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernández Rundle

Miami (December 26, 2007) - It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we inform you that Mrs. Marylou Fitzgibbons Fernández, the mother of Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernández Rundle, passed away this morning, Wednesday, December 26th 2007, after a long battle against cancer. 

Mrs. Fernández, 79, was born in Chicago but was a long time resident of Miami-Dade County. She was pre-deceased by her husband and the father of the State Attorney, Carlos Benito Fernández. She is survived by her daughters Kathy and Helenita Fernández (pre-deceased by husband Charles Bacher), and sons Steven Carlos Fernández (daughter-in-law Bianca) and Fitz Carlos Fernández, and grandchildren, Evan Carlos Rundle, Justin Robert Rundle, Carla Daniella Fernández, Pearla Bianca Fernández, Krystan Stefanny Fernández, Julia Marie Bacher, and Robert Charles Bacher. 

Mrs. Fernández, who obtained her Master's of Education Degree at the University of Miami, worked as an elementary school teacher for the Miami-Dade Public Schools system until her retirement. 

"As a teacher, my mother always believed that people could create their future. She would often say that if you believed in yourself, the future was yours," commented State Attorney Katherine Fernández Rundle. "I've always known – my mother was right." 

Services will be held this Friday, December 28th, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at Caballero-Rivero-Woodlawn Funeral Home located at 3344 S.W. 8th Street, in Miami. The Reverend Monsignor Agustín Román will pray the rosary at 6:00 PM at the funeral home. 

On Saturday, December 29th, a mass will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7270 S.W. 120th Street, Miami, at 9:30 AM to celebrate the life of Mrs. Fernández. 


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Contact: Terry Chavez 305-547-0535 12/17/07
Angel Tree Party 2007Angel Tree Party of the Miami-Dade
State Attorney's Office

Miami (December 12, 2007) - The annual Angel Tree Party is a tradition with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office. For the past 15 years, the office's Victim Services Unit has done some remarkable things to make the holidays more special for some less fortunate children in our community. This year's event was held this past Thursday, December 13th.

In 1988, the Victim Services Unit staff decided that instead of buying gifts for each other, it would be more in the spirit of the holiday season to help others. Needy children, identified as victims or witnesses from our closed cases, were invited to our office for a holiday party. Employees "adopted" these angels and bought gifts for them. This was an annual event, shared and enjoyed by all, with such guests as Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, the reindeer, and of course the Three Kings. Santa then presented the children with their gifts and afterwards, we shared some snacks with the children and their families.

The children who participate in this event must meet the following criteria: