Conviction

Prosecutors offered Tate a plea deal, which his mother declined. She felt he had no reason to accept a plea deal and spend 3 years in a juvenile facility for "horseplay"(American Crime, 2016).

Defense tried arguing that Tate was a fan of WWE and was just practicing some wrestling moves on Tiffany.

Lionel went to trial, and on March 9,2001 a jury found him guilty of 1st degree murder. The jury deliberated for only three hours. One juror said the panel did not believe the wrestling defense. "Anybody that went through that trial and witnessed the brutality, and the length of time it took to inflict the blows, would have to go with first degree murder under the law"(Hull,2001).

In Florida, 1st degree murder comes with a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. Lionel became the youngest person in American history to be sentenced to life in prison.

After three days in adult prison, Governor Jeb Bush approved Tate's move to the local juvenile detention facility(American Crime,2016).

https://youtu.be/muFDISmHdtk

American Crime . (2016, November 24). Retrieved September 09, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtksaQopdyY&t=50s

Hull, A. (2001, March 10). Life Without Parole for Boy, 14. Retrieved September 09, 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/03/10/life-without-parole-for-boy-14/aa9a1db6-97e2-407c-9ba8-1435f340b950/?utm_term=.80a4d8568751

YouTube. (2010, December 11). Retrieved September 09, 2017, from https://youtu.be/muFDISmHdtk