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Police say 13-year-old helped friend beat woman, steal car
©Associated Press
January 8, 2002
LEESBURG -- A 13-year-old girl told police she retrieved a hammer and duct tape before she and a former convict severely beat an elderly neighbor to steal her car, court documents released Monday show.
Pamela McCoy told officers she and her 24-year-old friend, Quawn Franklin, wanted a car to drive to St. Petersburg on Dec. 27, so she suggested they steal Alice Johnson's Toyota Camry, records show. Johnson, 76, lived alone nearby.
McCoy told officers she talked Johnson into letting her into the house. Franklin then jumped the woman, beating her with his hands before McCoy taped her ankles together, records show, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
They then took Johnson's keys and searched her purse before Franklin hit the woman in the head with the hammer, McCoy told officers.
The woman was found a day later by her brother. She remains in critical condition with multiple skull fractures.
Franklin, who was released from prison in October after serving time for robbery and car theft, admitted taking the car, but denied hitting Johnson, documents show.
The pair was arrested in St. Petersburg on Dec. 30 after they were found sleeping in Johnson's car, officials said. Bloody clothes and a gun were found inside.
They were charged with attempted murder, home invasion and robbery and are jailed without bail.
Police are also investigating whether they were involved in the fatal shootings of Leesburg pizza delivery man John Horan on Dec. 19 and security guard Jerry Lawley on Dec. 21.
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