ATTORNEYS seek clemency for Broward teen convicted of murder

<br>FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) _ Attorneys for a 14-year-old boy sentenced to life in prison for killing a 6-year-old family friend filed a request for clemency on his behalf. <br><br>Lionel Tate's

Friday, June 1st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) _ Attorneys for a 14-year-old boy sentenced to life in prison for killing a 6-year-old family friend filed a request for clemency on his behalf.

Lionel Tate's attorney Richard Rosenbaum said a petition was sent to Gov. Jeb Bush on Thursday.

The next meeting of the state's clemency board is scheduled for June 14. It is not clear whether Tate's case will be discussed.

A spokeswoman for the governor, Liz Hirst, said staff had not yet seen the petition.

Bush has said he would be willing to have the clemency board hear Tate's case on an expedited basis. A commutation request would be considered by the governor and the six independently elected members of the state cabinet.

At his trial in March, Tate said he was imitating pro wrestlers and accidentally killed Tiffany Eunick. Experts testified Tiffany died of a fractured skull and lacerated liver suffered during a beating that lasted from one to five minutes.

The jury found Tate guilty of first-degree murder. Under Florida law, Tate had to be sentenced to life in prison without parole.