TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Teen Makes Plea Deal In "The Walker" Beating Case

ADVERTISEMENT

Hernando Today

Published: December 6, 2007

Updated: 12/06/2007 04:12 pm

BROOKSVILLE - A teen accused of having a hand in the beating of a well-known figure on Hernando County's roads will be behind bars or on probation until he turns 21.

Anthony Hawkins, 17, made an unexpected move Thursday in 5th Judicial Circuit Court by pleading guilty to three felony charges, including conspiracy to commit robbery and tampering with evidence.

As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped a charge of being a principal to attempted murder.

Hawkins is one of three charged in connection with an attack on 48-year-old John Kelly, popularly known as "The Walker." Authorities say Hawkins, 23-year-old Michael Vann and Jamie Tyson, also 17, plotted to rob Kelly on Sept. 19.

Kelly was attacked late that night and left badly beaten in a ditch as he walked along Cortez Boulevard, about a mile from Weeki Wachee Springs.

The victim spent five weeks in the intensive care unit, but is now recovering, his brother, George, said Thursday.

Correction: The attempted murder charge for Anthony Hawkins was dropped today. He did not enter a no contest plea to the charge as reported in an earlier version of this story.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT