BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

               A jury found a Tampa man guilty of killing of tossing an infant out of a car last Thursday. The panel deliberated for 7 hours before reaching their verdict.

The panel of 4 Black women, 4 white women, and 7 white men decided that 26-year-old Richard Anthony McTear, Jr., was guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, battery, aggravated child abuse, and burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery.

Next week, the jurors will decide if McTear deserved the death penalty in the death of Emmanuel Wesley Murray, Jr.

               McTear was accused of attacking the child’s mother, Ms. Jasmine Bedwell, and forcefully taking him. He allegedly threw the 3-month-old infant from a vehicle onto I-275 on May 5, 2009. The infant’s body was discovered on the side of I-275 shortly after his mother reported the kidnapping to police.

               McTear was Ms. Bedwell’s boyfriend at the time of the murder. The state is seeking the death penalty in the case.