US court orders new trial for boy killer jailed for life

A FLORIDA appeals court ordered a new trial yesterday for 16-year-old Lionel Tate, who was convicted of murdering a six-year-old girl four years ago and is serving a life sentence.

During the trial, lawyers for Tate argued that the killing of Tiffany Eunick was an accident that happened when Tate imitated wrestling moves he had seen on television. Prosecutors argued that the boy repeatedly beat the girl.

The case sparked intense controversy over whether a child Tate was only 12 at the time of the killing of playmate Eunick should be prosecuted as an adult and sentenced to life without parole.