David Scott
New member
In the news story below, note the boldface I added to realize the stupidity of some officials.
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Nov 8, 2000 - 04:09 AM
Boy arrested for Copeland Park rape
GARY SPROTT
of The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - A 12-year-old boy was arrested early Wednesday in the rape of a woman at a north Tampa park in broad daylight last week, police said.
Tavaris E. Knight has been charged as an adult with armed sexual battery, armed robbery and armed kidnapping in the Nov. 1 attack at Copeland Park, said police spokesman Joe Durkin.
``He's got prior arrests,'' Durkin said. ``Nothing else that rises to this level.''
The rape occurred about 11:30 a.m. at the park near Fowler Avenue and 15th Street. The woman was playing with her four daughters, ages 1 to 4, when the rapist approached and asked for money.
When she said she had no cash, the suspect forced her into a wooded area and hit her once in the head with a gun during the rape, police said. The children could hear their mother's screams.
Knight lives just north of the park, police said. His fingerprints were on a gun found at the park after the incident, said Durkin, and the victim picked him out of a photo lineup.
Durkin said Knight also is a suspect in two other robberies in the vicinity of the park about the same time as the rape. He could be charged in those incidents as early as today. The rape led neighborhood residents to question the city's decision two years ago to disarm rangers at five public parks, including Copeland.
Rangers had patrolled parks with badges, handguns and arrest powers for 15 years before the change in policy.
Although police have said Copeland Park is not a high-crime area, residents have spoken of drug dealers hanging out there.
Gary Sprott can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or gsprott@tampatrib.com
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Nov 8, 2000 - 04:09 AM
Boy arrested for Copeland Park rape
GARY SPROTT
of The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - A 12-year-old boy was arrested early Wednesday in the rape of a woman at a north Tampa park in broad daylight last week, police said.
Tavaris E. Knight has been charged as an adult with armed sexual battery, armed robbery and armed kidnapping in the Nov. 1 attack at Copeland Park, said police spokesman Joe Durkin.
``He's got prior arrests,'' Durkin said. ``Nothing else that rises to this level.''
The rape occurred about 11:30 a.m. at the park near Fowler Avenue and 15th Street. The woman was playing with her four daughters, ages 1 to 4, when the rapist approached and asked for money.
When she said she had no cash, the suspect forced her into a wooded area and hit her once in the head with a gun during the rape, police said. The children could hear their mother's screams.
Knight lives just north of the park, police said. His fingerprints were on a gun found at the park after the incident, said Durkin, and the victim picked him out of a photo lineup.
Durkin said Knight also is a suspect in two other robberies in the vicinity of the park about the same time as the rape. He could be charged in those incidents as early as today. The rape led neighborhood residents to question the city's decision two years ago to disarm rangers at five public parks, including Copeland.
Rangers had patrolled parks with badges, handguns and arrest powers for 15 years before the change in policy.
Although police have said Copeland Park is not a high-crime area, residents have spoken of drug dealers hanging out there.
Gary Sprott can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or gsprott@tampatrib.com
Strap his ass to a rocket and shoot him off on the 1st!!