Recant reported in Fla. teen's robbery case

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A 13-year-old boy has recanted his statement that Lionel Tate, once the youngest US resident sentenced to life in prison, robbed a pizza delivery man at gunpoint, Tate's lawyer said yesterday.

Lawyer James Lewis said the boy, Taquincy Tomkins, has told private investigators that a 16-year-old whom Taquincy knows only as ''Willie" committed the May 23 robbery.

Taquincy said he blamed Tate under pressure from sheriff's investigators and because ''Willie" threatened to kill him, according to a transcript provided by Lewis.

A judge has scheduled a hearing for today on whether the turnabout warrants Tate's release on bail.

Tate, now 18, beat and stomped a 6-year-old girl to death in 1999. Then 12, Tate initially said he was trying out wrestling moves he had seen on television.

The case touched off a debate over Florida's practice of prosecuting juveniles as adults.

Tate's life sentence was overturned on appeal and he was released on a plea bargain after serving three years.

The deal placed him under house arrest for a year, followed by 10 years of probation.

But Tate was arrested last month and charged with armed robbery. Police said Tate's print had been found on a pizza box delivered to the apartment where the holdup occurred.