Murder defendant mocks Pasco deputies

NEW PORT RICHEY -- On trial this week for first-degree murder, Phillup Alan Partin faces the death penalty if convicted of strangling and stabbing a 16-year-old runaway to death in 2002.

But he still had time to write a mocking letter to Pasco Sheriff Bob White asking for a job as a sheriff's deputy. The accused murderer also mock Scott Gattuso, one of the deputies who pursued him for the 2002 death of Joshan Ashbrook.

"Hello Bob. I am in receipt of the personnel records of the deputies from the (Pasco County Sheriff's Office) that I have had such a hard time of obtaining," Partin wrote (left). "Now I see why. With Dep. Gattuso's record, I would not want to have the general public know he works for me either!"

In his two decades with the Sheriff's Office, Gattuso has been investigated 30 times for accusations that he violated agency policy, according to a St. Petersburg Times investigation in December. Thirteen of the allegations, including charges of discourtesy, insubordination and conduct unbecoming, were substantiated.

During a forgery investigation, the sheriff suspended Gattuso for more than a year. But he was suspended with pay, allowing Gattuso to collect almost $48,000. Gattuso later pleaded no contest to the charge and was demoted.

"It appears to me that your a 'Good Ol Boy' just looking out for one of your own," Partin wrote. "Well, I am a member of the 'Good ol Boys of Central Florida,' and so, I am seeking employment with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office so that I too can be issued a .40 cal Glock and a badge while I drive around in a sheriff's patrol car ... and being paid $27.00 ... an hour to do this!

"Never mind my past criminal history, as you have already shown that you are an equal opportunity employer by hiring others with a history of disciplinary problems ..."

Partin mailed copies of his letter to the judge in his case, to the sheriff and to the Times. The letter is postmarked Monday, the day jury selection began.

The Times is awaiting comment from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. The state continued to present its case against Partin today, including calling his 12-year-old daughter, Patrisha, to the stand.

She was just 7 when she was one of the last people to see Ashbrook alive. The girl testified that she saw Ashbrook with her father hours before the 16-year-old was found dead.

-- Jamal Thalji, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[concerned family member]

This is so like the Sonny I grew up with. When I was 14 and our mother was going through a divorce Sonny called me multiple times on the phone and kept saying "I'm going to kill you". They did nothing then and since that time he has murdered 2 people. His lawyer is just wanting his 15 minutes of fame since its a high profile case. I pray that Florida does its job this time. To my brother Sonny, if you read this as I am sure you will....I am glad mom isn't alive to see what you have become. Why don't you tell the truth for once...something that eludes you in daily life...and as far as you getting our biological father involved...he is a criminal, a drug addict that abused our mother to the point she hid me from him to keep me safe. You both are a drain on society.

What's good for the goose is not good for the gander in Pasco. Bob White, why do you have so many crooks working for you? A corrupt department, that's for sure!

Someone sounds like a scorned family member, and it sure isn't wise for you to come to a newspaper where this case is being tried and making the comments you are. It must run in the family, how sad.

[rowdy]

Obviously, the last two comments were written by the same demented person. Probably another criminal.

[Lisa]

4:52PM....STFU!!

My oh my. What a nasty bunch of comments.
How sad is it that this kind of actions are published? This man is a classless person, and I'm sorry that people feel the need to leave such comments as the ones above.
To concerned family member, you know him better than anyone else, I assume. Tell it like it is!

[Liana]

What a joke! Partin is a dirtball and has that typical inmate mentality. What a loser!

[satiey]

sorry we have some bad dudes working here but no murders. you piece of trash looks like we got you ..for twenty or so yrs,,, so how do you like your new cell ..can we fluff up your pillow for ya...

[just a concerned individual]

I really do not think he did it, but if he did then he should pay for it. As far as concerned family member, you have no room to talk. You are not so innocent yourself! You have lies and cons hidden in your closet. And I am sure Phillup was good enough for you when you needed or wanted something from him. So, yes please, say it like it is, but the whole story not just what is convenient for you.

[Bill]

Can you say "lethal injection"? You will rot loser.

[concerned family member]

I have had no contact with my brother in years because what he is like. No doubt those of you on his side are his convict friends. I know how he is which is why I refused to have anything to do with him. I think I am smart for that. I have nothing to hid and I am not a criminal. I don't do drugs I live a clean crimefree life and I give back to my community. I care about other people. I just pray that god has mercy on my brothers soul. I say this in comments because I could not be in court to say it in person. I have had to change my and my sons names just to hide from who my family is. I am sure Sonny's friends will try to do something to me if they could. His friends are and always will be the ones he met in priosn and in jail...hello what does that say...the pack runs together. My mother would be ashamed of Sonny....she was when ahe died. I am not scorned, I cut him out of my life for my own safety.

[i know this]

Phillup raped and tried to kill his ex wife when she left him... what was he running from in fl when he ran to north carolina in 1996....he wouldnt say what he did but that it was bad. What about the girlfriends he hurt and terrorized that are afraid that he would kill them...innocent....I think not.