Man Guilty Of Throwing Baby From Car Window
Man Arrested While Covered In Infant's Blood Found Guilty After Two Trials
Re-printed from a story at CBS News on August 1st 2014
Richard McTear Jr. made a series of bizarre statements including telling reporters: “It’s a dirty game.”.
TAMPA, FL. - A Florida man was convicted of murder Thursday for throwing a 3-month-old baby boy out of a moving car window along an interstate, killing the infant instantly.
According to prosecutors, 26-year-old Richard McTear attacked ex-girlfriend Jasmine Bedwell, 22, after she returned home with her son from a friend's house in 2009.
McTear blocked the door when Bedwell tried to flee and grabbed her son, Emanuel Wesley Murray, during the struggle. He then took off down Interstate 275 in Tampa, throwing the baby out of the window, prosecutors said. The baby's blood stains were found on McTear's shorts and in a car he was known to drive.
Defense attorneys argued that McTear was innocent and questioned the mother's credibility.
The jury deliberated for more than seven hours before finding McTear guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, battery, and aggravated child abuse charges. They will return to court on Monday to begin the sentencing phase.
McTear faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole, although jurors could recommend the death penalty.
A previous court proceeding against McTear ended in a mistrial after Bedwell made statements on the witness stand that Circuit Judge William Fuente had barred from the jury. Bedwell testified that McTear had threatened previously to harm her and the baby.
Bedwell and the baby's father are expected to submit victim impact statements in writing that will be read during the upcoming sentencing hearing.
UPDATE 08/2014:
For the crime of murdering a 3 month old baby Richard McTear Jr. was given a sentence of life in prison and not the death penalty. During sentencing for the crime of throwing a baby on a busy Florida interstate many excuses were provided by the defense. Ultimately, these excuses allowed Mr. McTear to avoid the death penalty.
References:
CBS News, Florida Man Found Guilty Of Throwing Baby From Window
WFLA Channel 8, Richard McTear's Second Trial Nears
Re-printed from a story at CBS News on August 1st 2014
Richard McTear Jr. made a series of bizarre statements including telling reporters: “It’s a dirty game.”.
TAMPA, FL. - A Florida man was convicted of murder Thursday for throwing a 3-month-old baby boy out of a moving car window along an interstate, killing the infant instantly.
According to prosecutors, 26-year-old Richard McTear attacked ex-girlfriend Jasmine Bedwell, 22, after she returned home with her son from a friend's house in 2009.
McTear blocked the door when Bedwell tried to flee and grabbed her son, Emanuel Wesley Murray, during the struggle. He then took off down Interstate 275 in Tampa, throwing the baby out of the window, prosecutors said. The baby's blood stains were found on McTear's shorts and in a car he was known to drive.
Defense attorneys argued that McTear was innocent and questioned the mother's credibility.
The jury deliberated for more than seven hours before finding McTear guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, battery, and aggravated child abuse charges. They will return to court on Monday to begin the sentencing phase.
McTear faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole, although jurors could recommend the death penalty.
A previous court proceeding against McTear ended in a mistrial after Bedwell made statements on the witness stand that Circuit Judge William Fuente had barred from the jury. Bedwell testified that McTear had threatened previously to harm her and the baby.
Bedwell and the baby's father are expected to submit victim impact statements in writing that will be read during the upcoming sentencing hearing.
UPDATE 08/2014:
For the crime of murdering a 3 month old baby Richard McTear Jr. was given a sentence of life in prison and not the death penalty. During sentencing for the crime of throwing a baby on a busy Florida interstate many excuses were provided by the defense. Ultimately, these excuses allowed Mr. McTear to avoid the death penalty.
References:
CBS News, Florida Man Found Guilty Of Throwing Baby From Window
WFLA Channel 8, Richard McTear's Second Trial Nears
