Since I ragged on Lionel Tate, the 18-year-old who killed a little girl when he was 12, it’s only fair to report the latest developments.
Last month he was accused of robbing a pizza delivery man at gunpoint, but the 13-year-old kid who said Tate did it recanted his statement:
Lawyer James Lewis said the boy, Taquincy Tomkins, has told private investigators that a 16-year-old whom Taquincy knows only as ”Willie” committed the May 23 robbery.Taquincy said he blamed Tate under pressure from sheriff’s investigators and because ”Willie” threatened to kill him, according to a transcript provided by Lewis….But Tate was arrested last month and charged with armed robbery. Police said Tate’s print had been found on a pizza box delivered to the apartment where the holdup occurred. (Source)
Whatever’s going on, whether he did it or not, Tate needs some serious intervention and direction in his life. He should be removed from that element (his neighorhood and friends) so he can have at least half a chance for a decent life. The way things are going, he’d better get used to standing in front of judges.
Previous post: Young Idiot Tate
Addendum: Apparently the pizza guy didn’t or couldn’t identify Tate if the whole thing rested on the kid’s statement. Who knows…
