Scene in the Tropics

Judge denies accused fetal murderer Joshua Woodward bail discount, deems him flight risk

Although accused fetal murderer and former Miami restaurateur Joshua Woodward was unable to get a discount on his bail because the judge deemed him a flight risk, he did post bond (typically 10%) on the $4 million needed to get him out--for now. Prosecutors claim he pulled a Casey Anthony, searching the internet for sinister ways to end his girlfriend's pregnancy. His attorneys cry BS. Woodward, often seen lounging at Miami Beach's members only Soho Beach House, was most recently seen in a blue prison jumpsuit before the bond was posted. No word on his whereabouts or those of Ocean Drive editor and newlywed Suzy Buckley, who, despite ending her relationship with Woodward after his first arrest back in 2009, ended up marrying him legally in Miami in August 2012.

Click here for coverage of Woodward's 2009 arrest and more

Rapper Juvenile arrested at LIV for disorderly conduct

Terius Gray, also known as Juvenile, was living up to his rapper name when he was arrested at 4 a.m. today at LIV for disorderly conduct. According to the police report, a large fight broke out inside and a "large crowd (approximately 100) had gathered in front of the valet ramp. The crowd was yelling and screaming and some were pushing each other . . . Mr. Gray was visualized heading toward to Collins Ave. to enter his vehicle to exit the property," but was arrested on scene and taken to MB Police for further processing. The arrest brings up an interesting point made by one of our Twitter followers, Mark Alhadeff: "Has his name made it impossible to try him as an adult? If so tha's a brilliant move."

Josh Woodward update: Not out of the woods yet as LAPD almost ready to present its case

It's been pretty quiet since Josh Woodward was arrested for allegedly, "intentionally" giving his LA girlfriend a drug that caused the death of an unborn fetus back in October of 2009. After Woodward was released on $2 million bail, the investigation continued and so did rumors that the former Miami restaurateur was in Miami and St. Barth---with Suzy Buckley, the Miami girlfriend who allegedly dumped him after finding out she was duped. An article in the LA Times today says that lab tests prove that Woodward was indeed in possession of misoprostol, a substance used to induce labor and early term abortions. According to LAPD captain Fabian E. Lizarraga,they are still conducting an active investigation and are almost ready to present their evidence to the LA DA. Of course Team Woodward, lawyers Mark Werksman and Mitchell Edgars, don't think the cops have a case.  Still a mystery is the name of Woodward's formerly pregnant girlfriend who, according to the LA Times, "told detectives she was suspicious at 'how and what had happened.'" So is everyone else, it seems.

Chris Paciello holding court again

 Former South Beach club kid Chris Paciello (not his real name) was in a Los Angeles court last Friday, but it's not what you think. According to website Perezrevenge.com, Paciello was fighting owners of LA restaurant Murano for the payback of a $400,000 loan. What we want to know is where he even got 400 grand in the first place? Anyway, they refused to pay him back, got shady on him, and in a reversal of fortune, sued him, thinking he'd give in and let 'em have it--er, the money, that is.  Rather than taking matters into his own hands as he was once known to do, Paciello did the Kosher thing hired a lawyer. Meanwhile, the website reports that Paciello has been running two pizzerias--one in West Hollywood and the other in Beverly Hills. So far, Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke have eaten there and, as far as we know, the only mobs Paciello runs with these days are those lining up for a slice of his pizza.

Scarface's Palm Island manse to be sold

Legendary mobster Al Capone's Palm Island manse being sold. Capone's grandson, Chris Knight Capone, author of the memoir Son of Scarface (www.sonofscarface.com), is staying at the estate until the deal closes and waxing nostalgic on the historic home. The house, listed at $6.7 million, is presently owned by Hank Morrison, who purchased the house in 1970. One other person owned the home before Knight Capone's grandmother sold the home in 1958.

According to Knight Capone, "A middle aged entrepreneur is purchasing the home and has plans to remodel the home."  Morrison assured Knight that the new owner will try to restore much of the house as possible. " I feel very happy about being that this house holds a lot of history. All the fixtures are original, even the windows, toilets, sinks-- you name it. Even the 60 x 30 in ground pool which my grandfather installed---which was, and I think still is, the largest in ground pool in the state of Florida. My grandfather had the lime imported to have this beautiful grotto built, which has always been the center piece of this beautiful estate." 

As for staying in the house, Knight Capone says it's a very surreal experience. "My grandfather passed away here 62 years ago, my grandmother sold the place 51 years ago. For me to me here in 2009 to see and feel the estate in its original state when my grandparents owned it is a once in a life time opportunity which I will treasure forever."

                                                                                                      

Knight Capone also feels a certain closeness and understanding of his late father, William Knight, Capone's son who lived under an assumed identity for obvious reasons. "My father loved boating," Knight reminisces. "Ironically the port terminal is right across the street.  I feel my father's presence here as I look out above the blue water and understand why my dad loved the sea so much.To him, it was freedom. Freedom from his father's notorious name. His life was the sea and now I get it. If you were Capone's son, where would you go hide? The sea! Who would find you?  They didn't have GPS back then."

Fans of the paranormal wonder if the place is haunted. Knight Capone wouldn't say it's haunted but he definitely feels his grandfather's presence. "The present owner has a few pictures around the house of my grandpa. The resemblance between my grandfather and me is so remarkable. I feel like I am looking at myself. The house is built like a rock from the walls, to the finite details of the fixtures, the moldings are just amazing.  Gramps knew how to build a strong home for his family to live securely and privately. The strength in the walls of this compound I compare to the strength he built in his name, the Capone legacy is still alive in all minds around the world. His legacy still lives and so does his original homestead. If only these walls could talk. " If only indeed.

               

And speaking of talking walls, remember when Geraldo Rivera thought he located Capone's vault and ended up with one big TV fiasco instead? Knight Capone thinks he knows where the treasures are--right here on Miami Beach. "Being that Al is my grandpa and I think like him in some ways--I don't kill people, thank God, but I know where I would hide it. Geraldo was looking in the wrong place."

                                                                     

Though the home is out of the Capone legacy now, it's Knight Capone's plans to try to get it listed as a National Historic Landmark. In the meantime, Knight Capone says he has a television series in development, a documentary and, "As a result of digesting all this family tragedy I have begun doing stand up comedy. It is my way of sharing my story in a healthy, humorous way." 

Madonna: what's old is new again

Forget A-Rod. Rumors are now flying that Madonna is trying to rekindle her relationship, or alleged relationship, with former Miami club kingpin Chris Paciello. According to blog TheBosh.com, a source claims Madonna has been flying to Paciello's home in Miami to rekindle things in between shows on her Sticky and Sweet tour. For one, Paciello no longer has a home in Miami. His brother Keith, co-owner of South Beach hot spot Bella Rose, lives here, but Chris lives in LA. The blog also says Madonna put up the bail when Paciello was arrested on suspicion of beating up a man in Hollywood, CA over the summer. According to very reliable sources, she did nothing of the sort. Another shady source told the UK's Daily Star "Chris was in trouble again earlier this year, and it was Madonna he turned to for help then. They've remained close, and they are in constant touch wherever she is in the world." They also say that Paciello and Madge were both staying at the same Toronto hotel yesterday. We so don't buy this.

Miami: Sin City of the South, literally?

Word on the streets is that some people are pushing for bona fide casinos in downtown Miami and on Miami Beach. We've gone through this before with Donald Trump and it didn't work out, but who knows? With the economy the way it is right now, why not open more places where people can lose their life savings? What do you guys think?

Meanwhile, for those who like to play with pretend money, pretending that the abysmal real estate biz is booming, Monopoly is introducing a new Miami and the Beaches special edition, in which players (and there are many in this town) can own and sell hot spots like Vizcaya, The Clevelander and even Ocean Drive. Playing cards include typical Miami behavior like partying too much during the Winter Music Conference and selling artwork at Art Basel. To order the game, go to www.monopolymiami.com.

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Chris Paciello Beats Assault Charges

Big score for former Miami club kingpin Chris Paciello, who, according to TMZ, will not be prosecuted for an August throwdown in LA. Paciello and Villa owner Reza Roohi spent a night behind bars after allegedly beating a guy to a pulp with hands and automobile. Although a video camera caught the battering, Paciello and pal won't be prosecuted because the video shows the victim wielding a knife.

Just When We Thought Chris Paciello Was On the Straight and Narrow....

Chris Paciello was arrested yesterday on felony assault charges, according to TMZ. Apparently the former Miami club kingpin got in a tussle at Hollywood's Les Deux nightclub. According to TMZ, the victim exchanged a few words with Paciello and his pal, LA Clippers player Cuttino Mobley. Paciello allegedly left, picked up another LA hot spot owner, Villa's Reza Roohi, and then went after the victim, who was found beaten and battered. The injuries aren't life threatening to the victim, but the charges aren't too hot for Paciello, who has been living the high life in LA and was said to be opening a club of his own. Paciello, aka Christian Ludwigsen, is still on parole from his previous charges. Not good, not good at all.

Hey, Caruso: Got Headshots?

CSI:Miami star David Caruso was at the Adrienne Arsht Center last night, sharing a can of Pilon Extreme Espresso with someone who did not look like his (ex?) girlfriend and baby momma, Liza Marquez. We think it was his new galpal, actress  extra Amina Islam. Caruso was there to see Celia: The Life and Music of Celia Cruz, but before the peformance started, the CSI star walked out of the bathroom, whipped out a headshot, signed it, and gave it to a pretty girl before walking into the theater. Caruso left during intermission. We wonder what, exactly, he wrote on his mug shot and if the "pretty girl" left during intermission as well. This calls for an investigation. Ok, to Caruso's crazy Austrian stalker, who took my words and twisted them, to say the least: it was a joke. He did not do anything but give an autograph to a fan.