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Adult Charges Not Yet Filed Against Library Rape Suspect

Tribune photo by JAY CONNER

Kendrick Morris appeared before a judge this morning.

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By THOMAS W.  KRAUSE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 12, 2008

TAMPA - In a brief hearing today, a juvenile court judge told a 16-year-old rape suspect that he will have to come back to court Friday because prosecutors have not yet filed adult charges against him.

Friday marks the deadline when the State Attorney's Office must officially charge Kendrick Morris with the April 24 rape of an 18-year-old at Bloomingdale Regional Public Library.

Authorities say Morris, a Bloomingdale High School freshman, came to the library to wait for his mother to get off work. The 18-year-old woman was returning books. Hillsborough County sheriff's detectives say he beat the girl unconscious.

Morris also is under arrest for a second rape. DNA tests connected him to the rape of a worker at Children's Lighthouse Day Care Center on June 28.

When a juvenile is arrested, an arraignment is scheduled automatically. Today, therefore, Morris was in court. At the hearing, prosecutors said they will file papers to try him as an adult.

Circuit Court Judge Ashley Moody rescheduled Morris' arraignment for Friday but, if prosecutors file adult charges, the case will move from juvenile court to felony court.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.

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