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Jury Selection Under Way In Slaying Of Citrus Park Boy

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 14, 2008

TAMPA - Jury selection is ongoing in the case against Joshua Rosa, who faces a first-degree murder charge in the Dec. 8, 2005, strangulation of a 13-year-old Citrus Park boy.

About 60 potential jurors were asked about their backgrounds and whether they have seen anything on television or read anything in the newspaper about Stephen Tomlinson's death. Several jurors said media coverage has given them a definite opinion as to Rosa's innocence or guilt.

Rosa, now 22, told detectives in 2005 that he found Tomlinson's body when he returned to an area to find keys he lost while jogging. Detectives say they found Rosa's keys under Tomlinson's body at Logan Gate Park in northwest Hillsborough County.

Detectives say Tomlinson's blood was on Rosa's hands and on a pair of white gloves Rosa was carrying.

They say DNA samples from fingernail clippers Rosa was carrying also match the victim. At the time, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said the clippers likely were used to remove evidence.

Tomlinson lived two blocks from the park where his body was found. Rosa lived across the street from Tomlinson.

Rosa and Tomlinson's families attended Mount Zion Pentecostal Church, where Rosa was a youth minister.

A prosecutor asked the potential jurors today whether they were or had been members of a Pentecostal church. Several said they had but that their religious beliefs would not affect their impartiality.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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