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Before Tampa Slaying Charge, Suspect Led Chase

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2007

Joshua Wilkins, charged with slaying of a 28-year-old Tampa man, led Texas deputies on a high-speed chase before he was arrested, Kendall County officials said.

Wilkins, 23, of Zephyrhills was arrested at 11:25 p.m. Saturday in the victim's stolen car, Kendall County sheriff's Lt. Louis Martinez said. Wilkins drove more than 85 mph on Interstate 10, trying to elude deputies, Martinez said.

Wilkins lost control of the car and crashed near Comfort, Texas, Martinez said. Wilkins is being held without bail on the Hillsborough County first-degree murder charge, which was filed Monday. He also is being held by Texas authorities in connection with the high-speed chase.

Wilkins is accused of killing Wesley Bonham last week and taking his car, a 1998 Honda Accord with Oklahoma tags.

On Dec. 7, a roommate found Bonham's body under a comforter in an apartment on Valor Circle. The victim lived at the Breckenridge Apartments in one of four units that share a common area.
Bonham was stabbed at least 18 times, Hillsborough officials said. Evidence indicated that he was stabbed in at least two locations in the home, Hillsborough County sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

Hillsborough County detectives flew to Texas shortly after Wilkins' arrest. He will be extradited to Hillsborough County, Carter said.

Two bloody knives thought to be the murder weapons were found in the couch, which the killer used to barricade the front door, Carter said.
Bonham met Wilkins at a gym in New Tampa a few days before the slaying, Carter said.

Bonham's father, David Bonham, said Wilkins was at a Lifestyle Family Fitness center, where Bonham worked, asking for a place to stay. After two days living together, his son was trying to find a way to get Wilkins to leave but hadn't kicked him out, David Bonham said.

Wilkins has arrests dating to 1998 stemming from charges of burglary, larceny, trespassing and carrying a concealed weapon, records state.

Reporter Mike Wells contributed to this report. Reporter Chris Echegaray can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or cechegaray@ tampatrib.com.

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