Man accused of 2018 killing of Ocoee couple denied plea agreement

Tammer Mansour — the man accused of killing a couple in Ocoee in 2018 — was denied a plea agreement Wednesday, Feb. 23, in court. 

Mansour now faces vehicular manslaughter charges stemming from the crash.

The accused man was initially set to plead no contest to one count of leaving the scene of a fatal crash, based on an agreement between the state prosecutors and the defense. 

Mansour would then serve a four year prison sentence, as well as 20 years of probation, recommended  by the state, as it was willing to drop vehicular homicide charges in exchange of the plea.

After hearing several statements from family members of the victims, the judge decided she did not agree, saying she took issue with the agreement and did not accept the recommended resolution. 

Although there was no clear indication on Wednesday on how the case would proceed, the judge explained that the trial could be reset or an alternative plea deal could be reached with input from the victims’ families.

The crash

According to a police report, on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, Mansour and his girlfriend were leaving the Ocoee Founder's Day Festival in the woman's 2004 Lincoln Aviator when Mansour struck Richard Giannazzo, 54, and Diana Cole, 55, who had also attended the event and were walking on Silver Star Road.

The couple were found dead and bystanders told police Mansour and his girlfriend had left the scene without stopping. 

After witnesses flagged the vehicle down a short distance away, Mansour and his girlfriend both fled on foot, according to the report. 

Later on, the accused man and his girlfriend were found near the intersection of Ocoee Apopka Road and Franklin Street by Winter Garden and Ocoee police. 

Mansour was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide with a failure to render aid. He was released on bail the day after the crash. 

History of arrest

Mansour was arrested on a DUI charge Saturday, April 17, 2021, in Daytona Beach Shores, according to the area's department of public safety.

The police found him near the Opus Condos behind the wheel of a green Ford Expedition drinking from a foam cup. In the passenger seat, they discovered an unopened can of beer with condensation on it.

The report stated Mansour also smelled of alcohol and refused to take a field sobriety test — leading to his arrest on charges of DUI and refusing to submit to the test.

Because of the DUI, prosecutors in Orange County asked that Mansour's bond be revoked.

This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.