Wrestling teenager who killed chick with body slam goes free
 

it's kinda long but the title summarizes it

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Teen Guilty of 'Wrestling Death' Freed
Lionel Tate Was 12 When He Killed Playmate
By Jim Loney, Reuters

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Jan. 26) - A Florida teenager sentenced to life in prison for killing a playmate was ordered set free under a plea deal on Monday after serving three years for a crime that touched off a national debate on the prosecution and punishment of children.

Reuters
A guard escorts Lionel Tate into the Broward County Court House for a bond hearing.

Lionel Tate, who was tried and convicted as an adult for first-degree murder in the death of 6-year-old Tiffany Eunick in July 1999, was released on his own recognizance three days before a hearing at which he will plead guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree murder.

He will have to wear an electronic monitor so that police can track his movements until the new court hearing.

Tate, now 16, was 12 when his playmate died and 14 when he was sentenced to life in prison, a mandatory punishment in Florida for a first-degree murder conviction.

An appellate court in December granted him a new trial, ruling that he should have been evaluated to determine if his young age meant he was competent to consult lawyers and understand the legal proceedings against him.

Prosecutors then offered Tate the same deal he rejected before his trial -- three years in prison, a year of house arrest and 10 years of probation in return for a guilty plea to second-degree murder. He has already served the three years.


The boy's lawyers argued at his trial that the girl's death was an accident that occurred when Tate tried to copy wrestling moves he had seen on television.

Tiffany Eunick suffered the fatal injuries during a visit to Tate's home in Pembroke Park, Florida, a Fort Lauderdale suburb, on July 28, 1999.

Medical experts testified that the girl's skull was fractured and part of her liver was detached. The jury was shown large autopsy photographs of her contusions, fractures and other injuries.

Tate, a heavyset boy, weighed about three times Eunick's 48 pounds.


His lawyers' argument -- that the boy was imitating moves he saw on televised professional wrestling, an entertainment sport populated by cartoonish characters in colorful costumes -- drew national attention.

The defense tried unsuccessfully to subpoena professional wrestlers, including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, to testify.

Tate was convicted in January 2001 of first-degree murder and was led from the Broward County courtroom with tears flowing and hands cuffed. He was 13 at the time.

He was expected to walk free a few hours after Monday's court hearing at which his



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I think it's a good call. Sure, he beat the poor girl to death, but it's all Vince Mcmans fault :winkwink:

Its a terrible thing he did. I can't believe they are letting him free. I hope he learned his lesson.

i dont think playboy will like the use of Playmate in that article :winkwink:

the kid should be in jail for much longer - it clearly states at the start of wrestling programs - DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME

Hmm...the boy is obviously stupid but sending a 12 year old to prison for life does seem a bit harsh.

When kids accidentally shoot their dad while they're hunting (just as stupid) they don't get sent to prison.

Yea I know the 3 years is enough.


but then again, according to the body inspector, the chick was beatin all over the place, not just a body slam gone wrong.


"One kids wasted and the others a waste"

he should be set free, but he should get some heavy counselling.

Yah, I don't see a vicious murder here, the kid was just being a dumb little shit.

It is really sad that they try kids as adults now, and its really sad when they throw the book at them to "set an example".

Most of these kids don't have any REAL problems, it was just bad luck that got them into the situation.

I mean honestly, how many of you tried Pro. Wrestling moves with your friends, what if you had accidentally killed your friend with one of those stupid moves - you'd be devastated enough at such a young age, and then you get to go to court, get the book thrown at you, and spend your life in jail. And then in cases like this, the kid gets out, but his life is ruined, he never picked up the necessary skills to be something in this life, and he has a criminal record at 16... 1st degree murder.

Chances are he'll be back in jail sometime in his life, when it could have been prevented - and what did it really prove?

'


this guy could council him!

http://www.pmpnetwork.com/scott_steiner/06.jpg


"next time, hit her with a chair!"

The boy is half retarded,he have amind like a 5 year old...he did 3-4 yrs now will be on probation for 10 years...he was imating what he saw on t.v., he shouldv'e used his mind elswhere like 'ken lay'

Let him go free.

3 years for a 12 year old is enough, he was dumb but he is also a child, no reason to throw away another life since one is already done.

I remember this case from when it happened.

He deserved life, if you ask me.

This wasn't a "oops" type of deal here, by any stretch of the imagination. Body slamming a 6 year old is stupid yes, but accidents happen and kids do retarded shit. He wouldn't have served a day in jail if this was the case.

I don't remember all the details. But I do remember this little fuck BEAT THE SHIT out of this girl. Not one "move" gone bad. I mean like kicked, beat, and seriously was trying to injur her.

Someone should go pull up the old news items on this, I doubt many folks would feel any compassion towards him if they read those.

If it was an accident, then by all means jail is a worthless punishment. However, I don't believe it was in this case. If you purposefully injur someone and they die, then you deserve the book. Intent matters a lot to me.

-Phil

I don't watch wrestling. What name does he go by "The Boiled Lobster"?

most likely, I dunno who it is i just pulled it outa google images

talk about red raw meat !