Head
01-26-2004, 09:01 PM
Somewhat wrestling related. Just would like to get people's thoughts on the subject.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Wrestling-Death.html
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- Lionel Tate, the teen who killed a 6-year-old playmate and became the youngest defendant in the nation to be locked away for life, was ordered released Monday after three years behind bars.
Circuit Judge Joel Lazarus ordered Tate freed without bail, a month after an appeals court threw out the boy's conviction because his mental competency was not evaluated before trial. Tate has since struck a plea bargain that will mean no further time in prison.
It was expected to take a few hours to complete the paperwork for his release.
After the hearing, Tate, 16, gave his mother a faint smile, and she put her arm around him.
``He's appreciative of all the faceless people who had supported him and of all of his supporters -- the people who he believes have given him his life back,'' said attorney Howard Greitzer.
Supporters have rallied from the Vatican to the United Nations to free Tate since he was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 6-year-old playmate Tiffany Eunick three years ago. Tate was 12 when he punched, kicked and stomped the 48-pound girl to death in 1999.
Tate had claimed he accidentally killed the girl while imitating professional wrestling moves he had seen on television.
The case stirred debate over a Florida law that requires children convicted of first-degree murder to get life in prison without parole.
After Tate's conviction was thrown out, prosecutors renewed their offer of a three-year sentence in exchange for a guilty plea to second-degree murder -- the same offer Tate's mother had turned down before the trial.
After meeting with a psychologist who will test his mental competence, Tate is to appear at another hearing Thursday, when he is expected to plead guilty to the second-degree murder charge and be formally sentenced.
He has agreed to one year of house arrest, 10 years' probation, counseling and 1,000 hours of community service.
Tiffany's mother, Deweese Eunick-Paul, said she hoped Tate would admit he was responsible for the death and stop claiming it was an accident.
``All we were concerned about was that Lionel would take responsibility for his actions. That's basically what we've always wanted,'' she told Court TV after the hearing.
``I do hope that Lionel will express remorse, at a minimum, for what occurred,'' Gov. Jeb Bush said Monday.
Tate's supporters said the teen will not make the same mistakes again. Tate's 18th birthday is just over a year away.
``He's going to have to make the right choices and listen to the right people,'' said his trial attorney, Jim Lewis. ``Lionel's got a second chance and hopefully he's going to make it work -- if he's got help.''
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Wrestling-Death.html
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- Lionel Tate, the teen who killed a 6-year-old playmate and became the youngest defendant in the nation to be locked away for life, was ordered released Monday after three years behind bars.
Circuit Judge Joel Lazarus ordered Tate freed without bail, a month after an appeals court threw out the boy's conviction because his mental competency was not evaluated before trial. Tate has since struck a plea bargain that will mean no further time in prison.
It was expected to take a few hours to complete the paperwork for his release.
After the hearing, Tate, 16, gave his mother a faint smile, and she put her arm around him.
``He's appreciative of all the faceless people who had supported him and of all of his supporters -- the people who he believes have given him his life back,'' said attorney Howard Greitzer.
Supporters have rallied from the Vatican to the United Nations to free Tate since he was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 6-year-old playmate Tiffany Eunick three years ago. Tate was 12 when he punched, kicked and stomped the 48-pound girl to death in 1999.
Tate had claimed he accidentally killed the girl while imitating professional wrestling moves he had seen on television.
The case stirred debate over a Florida law that requires children convicted of first-degree murder to get life in prison without parole.
After Tate's conviction was thrown out, prosecutors renewed their offer of a three-year sentence in exchange for a guilty plea to second-degree murder -- the same offer Tate's mother had turned down before the trial.
After meeting with a psychologist who will test his mental competence, Tate is to appear at another hearing Thursday, when he is expected to plead guilty to the second-degree murder charge and be formally sentenced.
He has agreed to one year of house arrest, 10 years' probation, counseling and 1,000 hours of community service.
Tiffany's mother, Deweese Eunick-Paul, said she hoped Tate would admit he was responsible for the death and stop claiming it was an accident.
``All we were concerned about was that Lionel would take responsibility for his actions. That's basically what we've always wanted,'' she told Court TV after the hearing.
``I do hope that Lionel will express remorse, at a minimum, for what occurred,'' Gov. Jeb Bush said Monday.
Tate's supporters said the teen will not make the same mistakes again. Tate's 18th birthday is just over a year away.
``He's going to have to make the right choices and listen to the right people,'' said his trial attorney, Jim Lewis. ``Lionel's got a second chance and hopefully he's going to make it work -- if he's got help.''