Post by Tina<3 on May 20, 2009 16:02:05 GMT
"Man accused of tossing infant from car pleads not guilty to murder
TAMPA -- Richard Anthony McTear Jr., accused of throwing his ex-girlfriend's infant out of a car on Interstate 275 this month, pleaded not guilty this morning to first-degree murder.
Afterward, McTear, 21, yelled out in court to baby Emanuel's mother, Jasmine Bedwell: "I love you, Jasmine.''
Richard McTear appears before Judge Gregory Holder for his first appearance since his arrest in the death of his girlfriend's baby. [MARTHA RIAL | Times]
It was unclear if Bedwell, 17, heard McTear. She had appeared in court earlier but left in tears. When she returned, she was still emotional and her family was trying to calm her when McTear yelled to her.
Outside the courthouse, reporters asked Bedwell about what McTear said, and she collapsed in tears, throwing her purse to the ground and saying, "No, no, no.''
The state has 45 days to decide whether to seek the death penalty in the case. Another hearing is scheduled for July 1."
blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2009/05/man-accused-of-tossing-infant-from-car-pleads-not-guilty-to-murder.html
