Former cop, husband of local deputy, will be allowed bail

Historic City News was notified this afternoon that 40-year-old Nathaniel David Juratovac of St Augustine will be allowed to make bail pending his attempted murder trial; so long as he can meet certain conditions set by Judge Michael Traynor and he raises the $300,000 appearance bond.

During a June 10th bond hearing, the State Attorney asked that Juratovac remain in custody until the trial.

Based on evidence collected at the scene on US-1 South, witness testimony, and information obtained in an extended interview with Juratovac at the scene, he was arrested and charged with attempted murder at about 2:00 a.m. on March 30, 2013, following what was described as a “road rage” incident.

Juratovac is a former police officer who says he was in fear for his safety. His victim, identified as 30-year-old Jared Conrad Parkey, also of St Augustine, is a firefighter. Parkey sustained at least two gunshot wounds during the incident and was transported by air ambulance to the trauma unit at University of Florida Shands Trauma Center. He was treated and released.

Family members were passengers in each of the two vehicles, none were reported injured. According to Community Affairs Sergeant Catherine Payne, Juratovac’s wife, who was one of the occupants of his vehicle, is a member of the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office and was a witness to the incident. Additional witnesses were located and interviewed at the scene.

The northbound lane of US-1 was closed for nearly six hours as Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians processed the scene of the incident. Northbound traffic was diverted through St Augustine Shores.

The trial date has not yet been set.