Plea Deal Gives Ex-WTKS Host Burke 6 Months In Jail

Shannon Burke

Former CLEAR CHANNEL Talk WTKS (REAL RADIO 104.1)/ORLANDO midday host SHANNON BURKE pleaded guilty FRIDAY (11/20) to felony animal cruelty and misdemeanor use of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol in a deal that will have him serve six months in jail for an APRIL 30th shooting incident in which he shot his dog in the leg and grazed his wife in the head.  BURKE faced a 20-year sentence if convicted in the case; the plea bargain delays the start of his service until DECEMBER 31st.

BURKE faced charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and animal cruelty in SEMINOLE COUNTY and probation violation charges for a previous alcohol-related reckless driving charge in ORANGE COUNTY.  The ORANGE COUNTY court ruled that BURKE could not have contact with his wife and had to stay at least 1,500 feet away from their ALTAMONTE SPRINGS home, but the plea bargain ended that order and the couple has been in the process of reconciliation. The court also dropped a bond condition violation charge.  He was fired by WTKS shortly after his arrest and has been doing a brokered weekend show on SALEM Talk WORL-A.

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