Boy Recants Statement That Lionel Tate Robbed Pizza Delivery Man

[kskiska]

Attorney: Boy Recants Statement That Lionel Tate Robbed Pizza Delivery Man

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - A 13-year-old boy has recanted his statement that Lionel Tate - once the youngest American sentenced to life in prison - robbed a pizza delivery man at gunpoint, Tate's lawyer said Wednesday.

Attorney James Lewis said the boy, Taquincy Tomkins, has now told private investigators that a 16-year-old Tomkins knows only as "Willie" actually committed the May 23 robbery. Tomkins said he blamed Tate under pressure from Broward County sheriff's investigators and because "Willie" threatened to kill him, according to a transcript of the statement provided by Lewis.

Circuit Judge Joel Lazarus has scheduled a Thursday hearing to determine whether the new evidence warrants Tate's release on bond. Broward County sheriff's officials did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

Tate, now 18, killed 6-year-old Tiffany Eunick in 1999. Then 12, Tate initially blamed the girl's death on wrestling moves he said he copied from television. He touched off a debate over Florida's practice of prosecuting juveniles as adults when he was sentenced to life in prison.

Tate's life sentence was overturned on appeal and he was released on a plea bargain after serving three years. The deal placed him under house arrest for a year, followed by 10 years of probation.

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBYD2BU9AE.html

[jayfish]

1. Hey, This One Just Kind Of Slipped Off...

the front page. I was wondering where the apologies were, from the folks who who already had Tate tried and convicted of this one, though. Is there a "Nancy Grace Fan Club" group I'm missing somewhere?

Jay

[AlCzervik]

2. Nancy Grace and her flaming nostrils of justice is just one

more not guilty verdict away from a nervous breakdown.