ST PETE TIMES WALKER MIDDLE RAPE COVERUP
Defendant in Walker Middle School rape case reaches pretrial agreement
By Colleen Jenkins, Times Staff Writer In Print: Friday, August 13, 2010
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TAMPA — Last year, Lee Louis Myers' description of a locker room incident involving a flag football teammate and a hockey stick landed him and three other Walker Middle School students in big trouble.
On Thursday, a prosecutor who once accused Myers, 15, of sexual battery changed her tune and credited him with helping officials unravel what happened.
"But for Lee Myers, the whole truth of this incident may not have come out," Assistant State Attorney Kimberly Hindman said.
His reward: The Hillsborough State Attorney's Office reduced his charges Thursday to felony battery and will drop the case against him entirely if he fulfills terms of a pretrial intervention agreement.
The deal includes speaking to his peers about the adverse effects of hazing and bullying and testifying truthfully against the remaining two defendants.
Raymond Price-Murray, 15, and Diemante J. Roberts, 16, still face four counts each of sexual battery. The victim in the case said they used a broom handle and hockey stick to assault him while Randall John Moye III and Myers held him down.
Moye, 15, pleaded guilty in February to one count of felony battery. He will receive juvenile sanctions in exchange for his testimony. Hindman said prosecutors decided to allow Myers to enter a pretrial diversion program instead because he did not participate in the attacks as many times as Moye.
Prosecutors had already dropped two of the four counts of sexual battery against Myers after his attorneys proved he was at baseball practice when some of the alleged attacks occurred. The victim told authorities he was attacked as many as 12 times in the locker room in spring 2009.
Hindman said it was Myers' words, not the victim's, that gave school officials the first hint of potential sexual abuse.
After being approached by coaches, Myers wrote a half-page statement in May 2009 describing one episode.
"We decided to have some fun," he wrote, "but we weren't trying to hurt him or anything like that."
Myers said Roberts grabbed a hockey stick in the locker room and "told us what to do." He said the other three agreed.
When they approached the victim, "he automatically fell to the ground," Myers wrote. "I held his arms while Raymond helped me. R.J. and Diemante started hitting him in the butt with the hockey stick. It only lasted for about 15-20 seconds, then we all stopped and walked away.
"After it happened, I walked up and said we were just playing around and didn't mean to hurt his feelings," Myers wrote.
On Thursday, defense attorney Tim Taylor said dozens of witnesses had been deposed since Myers and the others were charged with felonies in adult court.
"Not one of the eyewitnesses has implicated Lee Myers in this case," Taylor said.
Taylor emphasized that his client's not guilty plea stands. The agreement with the state also calls for a psychological evaluation, 50 hours of community service and no contact with the victim or remaining defendants.
"Lee Myers and his family are ready to turn the page on this and move on," Taylor said. "Ultimately, all of the charges against Lee Myers are going to be dismissed."
Myers did not speak during the hearing.
The victim and his family chose not to attend at all. Hindman said they were aware of the resolution and agreed with it.
Colleen Jenkins can be reached at cjenkins@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3337.[Last modified: Aug 13, 2010 07:05 AM] Click here for reuse options! Copyright 2010 St. Petersburg TimesClick here to post a comment
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There are 54 comments Oldest First Newest First Top Rated
larryrunshismouth wrote:
Yeah.. there ya go... Testify against the other people and we will let you go. It doesn't matter if it's true or not, make crap up if you have to-
Anything to stay out of jail when the police and prosecutors are standing there telling you that your facing most of the rest of your life in prison...
Yep, make it up if you have to Mr. Myers.
Aug 12, 2010 9:59 AM
10 12 Report Abuse
KennyN wrote:
WOW, does anyone take A NA L RAPE with a hockey stick seriously these days?
Aug 12, 2010 10:11 AM
17 3 Report Abuse
LynneC wrote:
There was no physical proof there was a rape, No injury to the victim and no DNA found. Victim was examined by 2 different doctors. This case seemed to have been escalated by the prosecutor. That should no be allowed. Now she says, But for Lee Myers, the whole truth of this incident may not have come out," Hindman said. Didn't she know this when she charged him 4 felonies... Now they will make 1 person the fall guy so that they can look good. Our justice system is smoke and mirrors.
Aug 12, 2010 10:28 AM
4 13 Report Abuse
TechRider1 wrote:
DNA from a hockey stick? LynneC is obviously an idiot.
Aug 12, 2010 10:36 AM
8 7 Report Abuse
Rufus wrote:
Money talks.
Aug 12, 2010 10:38 AM
7 2 Report Abuse
LynneC wrote:
There would be DNA left on the hockey stick if it was used in a rape... DNA is left on items... TechRider1 what are you talking about?? I will not call you names because you have the right to your opinion even if I disagree. Why would anyone do that??
Aug 12, 2010 10:41 AM
5 6 Report Abuse
FLORIDABADBOY wrote:
Being the snitch may comeback to bite him in the a$$.They need to give him a liedetector test to make sure heis telling the truth he maybe pointing the finger at theothers and give false infoto cover his lies and a$$.
Aug 12, 2010 10:43 AM
4 6 Report Abuse
LaxBro26 wrote:
They did not have enough evidence. Lee did not even touch the hockey stick. The majority of you with the exception of LynneC that have commented on this will believe anything the paper says.
Aug 12, 2010 10:53 AM
4 8 Report Abuse
lorena2009 wrote:
This is one of the saddest cases I have heard in a long time. Each of these boys who were involved with this cruel and heartless attack should all receive the same sentence for their crime and the parents of these boys should allow the justice system to make the call on their punishment. They obviously need mental health evaluations and counseling At the age these boys were they knew right from wrong and should be held responsible. The victim unfortunately,will have to live with this for the rest of his life. My heart breaks for him.
Aug 12, 2010 10:53 AM
11 2 Report Abuse
LaxBro26 wrote:
lorena2009 you are so ignorant it is not even funny.
Aug 12, 2010 11:10 AM
2 12 Report Abuse
Lex26 wrote:
LynneC and LaxBro26 - Where have you heard that info from? I can't find anything but the newsside in any articles.
Aug 12, 2010 11:20 AM
1 0 Report Abuse
StewPidaso wrote:
If you are the lookout for someone who robs & shoots a store clerk, then you are just as liable as the trigger man. This kid should not get off with a slap on the wrist just because he wasn't the one pushing the stick. He was there, he didn't try to stop it, and it wasn't until the hammer was about to drop that he started to switch sides & back pedal. If he's involved with this kind of thing & doesn't realize that it's just wrong at this age, what's he going to be like when he's a grown man that is stronger & able inflict more damage on someone? People don't change.
Aug 12, 2010 11:21 AM
6 2 Report Abuse
joeust wrote:
Great! Now he can get back in to Jesuit.
Aug 12, 2010 11:48 AM
3 0 Report Abuse
sugarme wrote:
lynnec, is that why the kid left the freakin country and suddenly his family is considering moving PERMANENTLY??? Right. Because that happens if you're not anally raped. This is SO COMMON. Ask and Robinson High School graduate. THEY ALL KNOW. Anyone who has played ANY SPORT WITH ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL KNOWS. Wow, are you people THIS out of touch with the world AROUND YOU? When I was in PRIVATE school we were TOLD to STAY AWAY from Robinson people. That has expanded to MORE schools these days, one presumes. So ... get in touch with your young people if you don't know what's going on.
Aug 12, 2010 11:53 AM
7 4 Report Abuse
sidney wrote:
What is wrong with the diversion? What on earth? Maybe his testimony will put an end to this. And god forbid these kids should be around other kids unsupervised in any capacity. The school's principal is where now? He was such a dumb ox.
Aug 12, 2010 12:14 PM
3 4 Report Abuse
LynneC wrote:
sugarme, I am confused by your comments. Robinson??? this was at Walker... I think ,if that students heard his screams as he was raped with a broom and hockey stick in the school's locker room. It would have been around the school in seconds. kids that age text'd and facebook everything. it would not have been hidden for a few months... I am not saying the victim was not raped. I don't know, but there has been no DNA evidence to confirm a rape, and there has been conflicting stories to include everyone was horsing around and the victim was laughing.. So it would only be fair to weigh that in along with any phyical evidence or lack of. No one can say guilty just because they have been charged. and why would he get off on only 50 hours community service if it was such a horrible crime? think about it.. the state can't prove any of the crimes would be my guess... Now everyone can call me names and act unreasonable, it doesn't bother me..
Aug 12, 2010 12:17 PM
3 4 Report Abuse
geterdun wrote:
Lee, your doing the right thing. I hope it doesn't earn you a whooping, but it probably will considering the scum you hang with.
Aug 12, 2010 12:22 PM
5 1 Report Abuse
LaxBro26 wrote:
@geterdun He did do the right thing but maybe if you knew what Lee has to say about the whole thing then your opinion would be different.
Aug 12, 2010 1:01 PM
1 4 Report Abuse
sugarme wrote:
LynneC, I know you're not being purposely obtuse. Were you aware that middle schools FEED INTO high schools? Yeah, they do. And that elementary school age children sometimes have siblings in middle AND in high school?? My statement concerns that THIS is a common NOT an UNBELIEVABLE occurrence. COMMON. And the kids learned it somewhere. So stop pretending it didn't happen. Cause I know my parents in the middle of a school year moved ME to Europe. WHO is paying FOR THAT? Of course it happened. Kids ignore stuff all the time. Tell me, did you grow up like the rest of us or just land here as an adult?
Aug 12, 2010 1:59 PM
7 1 Report Abuse
sugarme wrote:
what's wrong with it is that he stuck a stick up some kid's ●●● and then guess who will pay for it?? THE ONE BLACK KID who got arrested again for pushing a lawn mower in what sounded like a SCAM arrest. DUH. And the cop's kid will skate next.
Aug 12, 2010 2:06 PM
6 1 Report Abuse
sugarme wrote:
Lynne, I'm sorry, I misread your statement in part. I agree that people can't just be called guilty but I also feel that evidence was tampered with. People get murdered all the time in Tampa and no one cares. Why would I expect them to care about this kid?? You are right in part. I apologize.
Aug 12, 2010 2:09 PM
7 2 Report Abuse
LaxBro26 wrote:
The Evidence was not tampered with. Did you not hear that the boy reported it long after the events even happened? Oh and just to say Lee Myers was not even there 2 out of the 3 days the incidents happened.
Aug 12, 2010 2:52 PM
2 5 Report Abuse
geterdun wrote:
laxbro, it doesn't matter what he says, as long as it's the truth.
Aug 12, 2010 3:05 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
MentosMan727 wrote:
Look at you people up top here. You want them to prosecute these guys on charges that have no evidence other than the kid's word (which took forever to come out)? If it happened, it's sick, but in this country we're not in the business of imprisoning people based on nothing.
Aug 12, 2010 3:09 PM
3 3 Report Abuse
JusticeGuy wrote:
This is not a Pretial Intervention Case, the FL law which established it says it should be used for non- violent third degree felony case, this is an abuse of power by the State Attorney, the way the law is written if the man finished the period of what best can be described as Probation for a period of 6to 18 months) then the charge will never appear on any FBI criminal records report. The Court (Judge) should never allow this to take place..wow shades of Harry Lee Coe, OMG.
Aug 12, 2010 3:13 PM
4 0 Report Abuse
adumbyankee wrote:
sounds like a prospect for the lacrosse team up there in carolina
Aug 12, 2010 3:14 PM
4 0 Report Abuse
LaxBro26 wrote:
Thank you Mentosman727. It does matter what he says because the boy exaggerated his story and most of it was total crap
Aug 12, 2010 3:21 PM
1 4 Report Abuse
The Captain wrote:
Money talks and BS walks....
Aug 12, 2010 3:44 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
windowsugarme wrote:
a dumbyankee, HARRISON KOWIAK's team, you mean? He sure does. All of them are probably being recruited already. BUT, not the poor black one. Just the cop's son and lee pallardy's buddy this kid, LEE.
Aug 12, 2010 3:46 PM
3 0 Report Abuse
windowsugarme wrote:
funny those commenst got THE MOST THUMBS UP and then as they rose in the rank old karen mcallister disabled the user name. She's ALL ABOUT journalism and truth in reporting, folks. Poynter must be SPINNING OUT OF HIS GRAVE today.
Aug 12, 2010 3:54 PM
4 0 Report Abuse
LaxBro26 wrote:
The Evidence was not tampered with. Lee Pallardy has a good name around Tampa. In fact i sat next to him in court when they announced the agreement. I do not think Lee Pallardy would have took Lee Myers side if he knew the evidence against Lee was true.
Aug 12, 2010 6:42 PM
1 3 Report Abuse
truetomato wrote:
How can this boy get no time? Will he still be in our schools, preying on other children? I feel that 50 hours of community service is WAY too low. It should be more like 2500 hours. I just feel that there is more to this than has been released, or they wouldn't be making deals. I do feel that they should all be in juvenile programs focused on sexual offender treatment. None of the 4 boys should ever be allowed in public school for the safety of other children. I mean, what do you have to do to get expelled?
Aug 12, 2010 6:55 PM
2 1 Report Abuse
LaxBro26 wrote:
TrueTomato, maybe if you learned the facts of the case and would stop believing word of mouth or the media. Then you would understand why Lee Myers got no time. I know Lee Personally, and this is to everyone. He is a Good person. Everyone makes mistakes. He does not and will never prey on anyone.
Aug 12, 2010 8:30 PM
1 4 Report Abuse
LynneC wrote:
where does Lee state anyone sexually assualted the victim? When they approached the victim, "he automatically fell to the ground," Myers wrote. "I held his arms while Raymond helped me. R.J. and Diemante started hitting him in the butt with the hockey stick. It only lasted for about 15-20 seconds, then we all stopped and walked away. --- I don't see where that is sexaully assualt. if they are going to give him a break because he reported it. THen shouldn't the prosecutor believe his statement.
again, I don't know what happened, but how does that statement turn this into a sexually assualt?? It just doesn't make sense.
Why is everyone trying to accuse these guys of a horrible crime when there is clearly no evidence...
Why doesn't the state concentrate on real criminals?? this will be sad if 1 of these boys takes all of the punishment and it seems that is what the prosecution is doing..
Aug 12, 2010 9:22 PM
4 3 Report Abuse
LaxBro26 wrote:
at least LynneC has her facts straight
Aug 12, 2010 10:03 PM
2 4 Report Abuse
Rick J. wrote:
Four boys involved in the incident of rape. The two White boys made deals with the State Attorney for light sentences to tesisfyagainst the two Black boys. And your White folks regarding theDonte Morris search was saying some stupid like why the Blackcommunity is not helping the police find Morris. Its this kindof White folks lies, betrayal and railruad jobs that has causedBlacks(like me) to not trust, believe, participate or like theWhite justice system!
Aug 13, 2010 6:14 AM
3 2 Report Abuse
truetomato wrote:
Four boys terrorized and "held down" another youth. This is assault and actually since it happened more than one time: it is gang behavior. "Good" people do not engage in behavior such as this. It is assault, occurring more than one time by the youth's own accounts, and earns criminal sanctions. These "good" boys should not be in public school. They need therapy to learn to play more appropriately. Sexual offender therapy can be effective when the criminal chooses to embrace change.
Aug 13, 2010 6:58 AM
3 1 Report Abuse
Ed404 wrote:
Good people no Anal Rape occurred.Come on..Abner Louima with a plunger was anal rape, how in the world can a middle school kid walk after being anally raped with a Hockey stick. No DNA on the Hockey stick, if there was anal rape there would be all kinds of tearing, fecal matter, BLOOD on the hockey stick.
Kids horseplaying jabbed him in the butt (with his pants up) with the hockey stick.
He was tired of being picked on told what happened and adults ran with it. Nothing to see here but overzealous prosecutors, scared as hell school administrators, and people that took anal rape to a whole new level with 13 & 14 year olds. Anal Rape is what happens to people in prison, Middle school boys wouldn't be so gentle to rape a person without leaving evidence of a crime. BTW, two doctors examined the young man and no forcible sodomy was detected. Trust me if it were otherwise eveyrone would've known and the boys accused of the crime they would be under the jail and not out on bail.
Aug 13, 2010 9:57 AM
1 2 Report Abuse
voxyqter wrote:
I accidentally thumbs upped LYNNEC ... so that should be FOUR AGAINST two in favor. For the record.LynneC, WHO "automatically" falls to the ground?? Seriously?? That's such a made up piece of tripe that children laughed about it.
Aug 13, 2010 11:50 AM
2 0 Report Abuse
voxyqter wrote:
hey rick j. I beg to differ with you. I AM WHITE. The power structure in tampa is made up of black scum, brown scum and white scum in equal parts. Don't try to make this a racism thing. I used black as 'descriptive' because I did not remember the kid's name BUT I did remember when he got arrested again it sounded like a frame job to set this up for the other kids. The other black kid is the KID OF A COP so you can figure out for yourself what racism angle to put on that. THERE IS NOT ONE. It's DECENCY. And pigs are pigs no matter what color. And by PIG I do not necessarily mean COP. But maybe. many cops ARE pigs these days.
Aug 13, 2010 12:16 PM
2 0 Report Abuse
voxyqter wrote:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article1006893.ece
Aug 13, 2010 12:24 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
sugarmedos wrote:
whoops end of another user name. LOL. Dang that lee pallardy is connected BROTHER. You bet he is. Incidentally there was a link here yesterday detailing how his kid was arrested and there were three deputies as witnesses and that went away too. Nolle Pross. Where did that link go??
Aug 13, 2010 12:48 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
voxyqterandqter wrote:
I guess you guys would close the comments here but you're busy trying to sway public opinion FOR this kid and continue covering up lee pallardy's investigated past and his influence on this case.
Aug 13, 2010 1:22 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
LynneC wrote:
voxyqter, that was the statement the prosecutor is saying is truthful... I didn't say it... Thanks for the correction on the thumbs up and thumbs down, because that is really important...
Aug 13, 2010 1:42 PM
1 1 Report Abuse
voxyqterandqter wrote:
truly lynnec it is NOT, I get your sarcasm. Like we have prosecutors here. LOL. We have mark ober. End of story. Who fails to prosecute anyone who keeps elephant statues in their living room or pineapples on their lawn. I ask you again: WHO automatically falls down? Your attempt at belittlement just reveals you. FTR. Can you conjecture for me WHY SPT is covering up for Lee Pallardy who was sitting right there in the court room and is connected to numerous shady dealings in Tampa and Hillsborough County along with maryEllen Elia? Does he secretly own st pete times?
Aug 13, 2010 2:04 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
voxyqterandqter wrote:
Can ANYONE conjecture how Lee Pallardy's son was also let off the hook by a court when THREE DEPUTIES were witnesses? And how like so many others his arrest record was somehow lost?? And, now taking bets on how long this username will last. Dang. Lynne are you an attorney?
Aug 13, 2010 2:06 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
voxyqterandqter wrote:
and you should be ASHAMED of yourself. This went from students reporting SCREAMS to buying off people so ONE KID who definitely doesn't appear to be a ringleader could get stuck with this ... well, time will tell what little mr. lee will get up to next. That's ON folks like you and Mr. Pallardy. And the little league coaches who are probably all tampa firemen in that area or so I've read. FINE bunch.
Aug 13, 2010 2:12 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
voxyqterandqter wrote:
what EVER happened to the broomstick?
Aug 13, 2010 2:14 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
voxyqterandqter wrote:
let's see. Jaime Myers NEW in Tampa ... investment buddies w/ lee pallardy. Folks, get your bets down. THIS user name is cashed in.http://pubrec3.hillsclerk.com/oncore/showdetails.aspx?id=14714888&rn=8&pi=0&ref=searchthat's lee pallardy and jaime myers lee pallardy trust. yeah. uh hmm.
Aug 13, 2010 2:17 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
voxyqterandqter wrote:
http://www.leepallardyinc.com/jamies_biography.htmone link reveals much. Apparently he's NOT new here. Interesting that the times spelled his name wrong. It's Jamie Meyers. Nice job, dad.
Aug 13, 2010 3:41 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
LaxBro26 wrote:
Obviously none of you were involved in the case so all you can do is express your opinions. I just do not understand why all of you sympathize a boy whose story was mostly exaggerated
Aug 13, 2010 5:04 PM
1 1 Report Abuse
Your vote has already been saved
LaxBro26 wrote:
Also, why does it matter if Lee Pallardy and Jamie MYERS (not MEYERS) have a trust. Tim Taylor was Lee Myers Lawyer.
Aug 13, 2010 5:11 PM
0 1 Report Abuse
sugarmedos wrote:
not just a trust. They are also employed in the lucrative business of JACKED UP APPRAISALS FOR SOME and not for others. I guess if St Pete Times can spell it Jaime to mislead, I can spell it Meyers if I like. Once. The other times I got it right. They're not just trust parners, they work together and are OLD SCHOOL MATES. http://www.leepallardyinc.com/appraiser_biographies.htm You weren't there, you are no more involved and NO KID'S PARENTS pack him off to europe if he tells a tall tale. Phyllis Lax represented Lee when he was foreclosed on and now his name is on at least 20 properties. Quick turnaround in ten years, huh?? BTW if anyone bet that username would be gone NOW, you WIN. A free subscription to our used up bounced usernames here at st pete times. BOY, THAT LEE PALLARDY HAS SOME POWER.
Aug 13, 2010 7:25 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
Thank you for your vote
sugarmedos wrote:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=327446
There's the investigative piece ORIGINALLY APPEARING IN ST PETE TIMES. on wilsonmiller and lee pallardy. One wonders if ed404 is ed miller of wilson miller. Ya won't catch colleen jenkins wondering that, though.
Aug 13, 2010 7:28 PM
1 0 Report Abuse
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