Orlando, Florida Local News
WESH 2 Investigates: New evidence released in con man James Savage’s case
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In previous reports, WESH 2 Investigates has shown you that James Savage, the man who barricaded himself inside a Marion County home in March, at times firing shots, has struggled to “tell the truth.”RELATED: Man involved in 22-hour Marion County standoff has spent nearly 2 decades in federal prison”Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? asked Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon as she swore in defendant Savage. “Yes, Ma’am,” Savage replied. Savage barricaded himself inside the Marion County home after police in Wildwood, Sumter county, said he abducted and later released a former girlfriend.Around 22 hours later, on March 16, Savage surrendered. That’s when WESH 2 Investigates began peeling back the layers of his criminal history: convicted in North Carolina and sent to prison for swindling millions from women who were taken in by his charm and investment promises. RELATED: Woman claims to be victim of convicted con man, Marion County standoff suspectOnce released, he was convicted in St. Lucie County of the exploitation of an older woman. After Savage’s most recent arrest, Ellen Trout shared her story of the same man using an alias, Mario Gambino, and giving him money. She got suspicious and broke off the romance, saying she lost $200,000.The Judge at this hearing found out firsthand just how difficult it is to get a straight answer from Savage when she tried to find out if he had money for an attorney.”I own a business. I’m a life coach. I was doing production work about a show that was based on something I was going to do with the Travel Channel,” Savage said”Mr. Savage. If you won’t answer my direct questions, I can’t appoint a public defender for you,” the judge said”Sorry, ma’am. I don’t have anything, ma’am, I don’t,” Savage said. The Judge appointed a public defender for Savage, who is not only facing charges in the armed standoff but also allegedly elbowing an older woman in a parking lot on March 4. Through a public records request, WESH 2 Investigates obtained hundreds of photos of the heavily damaged house where Savage was holed up. They include photos of the handgun found inside that was used to destroy the SWAT team’s surveillance robot. You can see casings, bullets and holes that they made.These are just some of the vast evidence that could send notorious con man James Savage back to prison. Savage is due back in court on both the larger case involving the standoff and the case involving battery on an elderly person on July 8.
In previous reports, WESH 2 Investigates has shown you that James Savage, the man who barricaded himself inside a Marion County home in March, at times firing shots, has struggled to “tell the truth.”
RELATED: Man involved in 22-hour Marion County standoff has spent nearly 2 decades in federal prison
“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? asked Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon as she swore in defendant Savage.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Savage replied.
Savage barricaded himself inside the Marion County home after police in Wildwood, Sumter county, said he abducted and later released a former girlfriend.
Around 22 hours later, on March 16, Savage surrendered.
That’s when WESH 2 Investigates began peeling back the layers of his criminal history: convicted in North Carolina and sent to prison for swindling millions from women who were taken in by his charm and investment promises.
RELATED: Woman claims to be victim of convicted con man, Marion County standoff suspect
Once released, he was convicted in St. Lucie County of the exploitation of an older woman.
After Savage’s most recent arrest, Ellen Trout shared her story of the same man using an alias, Mario Gambino, and giving him money.
She got suspicious and broke off the romance, saying she lost $200,000.
The Judge at this hearing found out firsthand just how difficult it is to get a straight answer from Savage when she tried to find out if he had money for an attorney.
“I own a business. I’m a life coach. I was doing production work about a show that was based on something I was going to do with the Travel Channel,” Savage said
“Mr. Savage. If you won’t answer my direct questions, I can’t appoint a public defender for you,” the judge said
“Sorry, ma’am. I don’t have anything, ma’am, I don’t,” Savage said.
The Judge appointed a public defender for Savage, who is not only facing charges in the armed standoff but also allegedly elbowing an older woman in a parking lot on March 4.
Through a public records request, WESH 2 Investigates obtained hundreds of photos of the heavily damaged house where Savage was holed up.
They include photos of the handgun found inside that was used to destroy the SWAT team’s surveillance robot. You can see casings, bullets and holes that they made.
These are just some of the vast evidence that could send notorious con man James Savage back to prison.
Savage is due back in court on both the larger case involving the standoff and the case involving battery on an elderly person on July 8.
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