Clemency for Lionel Tate

WHEREAS, Lionel Tate was a twelve year old African American child, when he accidentally killed a six (6) year old African American child while playing, several years ago in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and

WHEREAS, Lionel Tate was adjudicated as an adult, on the charge of murder; and

WHEREAS, Lionel Tate was found guilty in an adult court and sentenced to life in prison, without the chance for parole; and

WHEREAS, many feel the punishment was too harsh, including the mother of the child who lost her life and the district attorney who tried the case; and

WHEREAS, many advocates including Dr. Thomas Masters, Pastor of New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Rivera Beach, Florida has championed the cause by taking this matter to the Pope, in order to secure clemency for Lionel Tate; and

WHEREAS, members of the Jacksonville, Florida Branch of the NAACP feel that Lionel Tate should have been tried as a juvenile and given clemency.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP go on record, asking Governor Jeb Bush of Florida to grant clemency to Lionel Tate.