It might take several months to review a capias request for a potential second-degree misdemeanor charge against Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore.
The capias stems from a June 11 incident where Whitmore, a Holmes Beach resident, removed three posted campaign signs in Holmes Beach. The campaign signs belong to Jason Bearden, an opponent in the Aug. 23 Republican primary election for the seat she holds as at-large district 6 commissioner.
Carol Ann Felts also is a candidate in the closed primary.
There are two write-in candidates in the Nov. 8 general election, Manuel Antonio Llamas and Robert Lesher.
Whitmore turned the signs into the Holmes Beach Police Department and, by June 22, Bearden told the HBPD he wanted to press charges against the 16-year incumbent on the county commission.
An employee with the 12th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office told The Islander July 1 that it often takes a few weeks to receive a capias, then up to three months to review each case, a process that might include interviewing those involved.
Additionally, the employee said Whitmore’s case was set for executive assignment to another district’s state attorney’s office for review but could not provide further detail as of July 1.
If convicted of a charge of petit theft, Whitmore could face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.