ORLANDO, Fla. — William J. “Bill” Sheaffer, a respected Central Florida attorney and former WFTV legal analyst who helped viewers understand some of Florida’s most consequential trials, has died.
For years, Sheaffer was a familiar presence on Channel 9. With his signature suspenders, quick sense of humor and measured delivery, he made complicated legal developments understandable without losing sight of the people affected by them.
“Channel 9 has lost one of its legends, a man who made everyone smile,” anchor Greg Warmoth said. “He was the kindest person, always wanting to stop by with a handshake or a warm embrace. He made people feel cared for.”
Warmoth will share a personal tribute to his longtime friend tonight on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.
Sheaffer and Warmoth spent countless hours together providing gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Casey Anthony and George Zimmerman trials.
During the Anthony trial, millions of people around the world watched Channel 9’s online coverage each morning. Viewers and visitors also came to the area outside the courthouse, which became known as “Casey Town,” hoping to meet Sheaffer.
His role was not to inflame the emotion surrounding a case, but to explain the law behind every ruling, argument and verdict.
After Anthony was found not guilty of first-degree murder, Sheaffer spoke with empathy about the prosecutors who had spent years building the case.
“They have followed the law,” Sheaffer said of the jurors. “They said the evidence was not there beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Two years later, Sheaffer returned for Channel 9’s coverage of the Zimmerman trial. During the racially charged case surrounding the killing of Trayvon Martin, Sheaffer remained a calm voice focused on the evidence and legal process.
Inside the mobile studio, the team kept a piece of tape bearing the words “It’s the law” as a reminder that Sheaffer was explaining legal standards, not offering personal opinions.
“When a complicated legal story broke, we called Bill,” Warmoth said. “He had a gift for explaining not just what happened, but why it mattered.”
Sheaffer joined WFTV as a legal analyst in 2008 and also contributed to ABC World News Tonight, CNN, HLN, Nightline and other national programs.
RELATED COVERAGE
Watch Greg Warmoth’s Central Florida Spotlight interview with Bill Sheaffer
Before entering private practice as a criminal defense attorney, Sheaffer served four years in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman and worked as a felony prosecutor in the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office.
He graduated cum laude from the University of Central Florida and later earned his law degree from Nova Southeastern University. He was board-certified as a criminal trial specialist by The Florida Bar and as a criminal trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Despite his extensive courtroom experience, Sheaffer never allowed his accomplishments to overshadow the warmth and humor he brought into the newsroom.
During one interview, Warmoth told him retirement suited him.
“Bill, in retirement right now, you’ve never looked better, my friend,” Warmoth said.
“Well, thank you very much,” Sheaffer replied. “Of course, I never looked that good to begin with.”
Warmoth said Sheaffer loved Channel 9 and the people with whom he worked.
“A good lawyer. A good friend. And, most importantly, a very good man,” Warmoth said.
Sheaffer is survived by his partner, Irene, and a community of relatives, friends, colleagues and viewers who came to trust his voice.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.