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Suspects in student rape case charged in 'multiple incidents'

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Lee Myers, Raymond Price-Murray, Randall Moye and Diemante Roberts were each charged with four counts of sexual battery.

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 3, 2009

Updated: 06/04/2009 07:11 am

TAMPA - As parents, friends and coaches spoke glowingly of the four middle school students, the boy the teens are accused of raping sat quietly between his mother and a prosecutor in the crowded courtroom.

Finally, it was his turn to speak.

"My mom was crying when the sheriff's office told them what happened to me," the 13-year-old said softly.

Authorities say the four teens bullied the boy for weeks before raping him with a broomstick and hockey stick in a locker room at Walker Middle School. All five youngsters attended the school and were flag-football teammates.

For the first time since the teens were arrested last month, prosecutors said there were numerous assaults, at least one of which was witnessed by other students.

"This was an intentional, terroristic act," Assistant State Attorney Kimberly Hindman said. "They [witnesses] described the victim as screaming, fighting and telling them to stop."

Each of the suspects - Randall John Moye, 14, Lee Louis Myers, 14, Raymond A. Price-Murray, 14, and Diemante Roberts, 15 - was formally charged Wednesday with four counts of sexual battery. Charged as adults, they could face up to 30 years in prison on each count.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Wayne S. Timmerman set bail at $15,000 each. The teens pleaded not guilty and were taken into custody after the hearing and transported to Orient Road Jail for booking.

About 8:30 p.m., Moye was released on bail and left the jail, his shirt pulled over his head, with his father. Both declined to comment.

Their family, friends and lawyers said the teens had never been in trouble before, were good students and had hopes of college and a better life.

"He's a normal son any father would be proud to have," Jamie Myers said. "He is innocent of these allegations."

But Hindman said the younger Myers and Moye held the victim down while Roberts and Price-Murray assaulted him. The broomstick and hockey stick were found at the Odessa school and have been sent for forensic testing.

Hindman asked that bail be set at $30,000 for each defendant.

Timmerman said Price-Murray, Roberts and Myers must wear electronic monitors; Moye is living in Lake County and will be monitored if he returns to Hillsborough. All four must honor a 7 p.m. curfew and have no contact with the victim, witnesses or former teammates.

Prosecutors escorted the 13-year-old and his family in and out of the courtroom by the back door and stairs normally reserved for judges, staff and jurors.

Investigators initially said the rape occurred April 30 in a locker room while all five students were there for a flag-football practice. But prosecutors now say the assaults occurred between March 1 and April 24, and April 27 and 29.

"All four defendants have been charged with multiple incidents on different dates involving the same victim," Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said.

"One of them witnesses said it happened a lot," Hindman said, "almost after every practice that this was happening to the victim that they were picking on him and there would end up being insertion."

Hindman said a fight on the practice field between Roberts and the victim over a missed tackle spilled into the locker room. It was broken up by coaches, and school officials then began investigating what they thought was a case of bullying.

The allegations of sexual assault were first mentioned by the defendants in statements given to school officials, Hindman said. The victim later confirmed the allegations, she said.

The four teens were arrested May 6 on juvenile charges and placed on house arrest and electronic monitoring after being released to their parents May 7. Those restrictions were lifted May 27 after prosecutors said they weren't ready to file formal charges.

School officials and prosecutors have said the 13-year-old did not report the bullying or attacks until the school's investigation.

Myers' attorney, Timothy Taylor, was the only defense lawyer to comment after the hearing.

"We don't believe he was involved in any sexual assault," he said. "I believe he will ultimately be vindicated."

Taylor said the defense would pursue the issue of why it took so long for the alleged victim to report any of the incidents. He also said the charges are vague.

Timmerman set a hearing in the case for Aug. 18.

News Channel 8 reporters Katie Coronado and Samara Sodos and Tribune reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report.

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