Teen boys face charges of first-degree murder

The pair also are charged with second-degree robbery. The victim died from injuries 20 days after the robbery.

By AARON SHAROCKMAN
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 22, 2002

LARGO -- Two teens who, police say, robbed and killed a Largo man last month were indicted on first-degree murder charges Thursday and prosecutors are weighing whether to seek the death penalty.

A grand jury indicted Richard Washington, 17, and Charlie McDuffy, 15, in connection with the death of Charles Carroll, 63, who was pushed to the ground and robbed while walking away from a Largo liquor store.

The two also face second-degree robbery counts stemming from the theft of Carroll's wallet and cellular phone.

The maximum sentence for the murder counts is death, and the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's office said Friday prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek it.

Largo police say Carroll's neck was broken when he was pushed to the ground.

He died 20 days later from complications from the fracture.

Police identified the two teens by using the phone records of Carroll's stolen cell phone. Records showed Carroll's phone was used 35 minutes after the robbery.

A subsequent trace led detectives to Washington and McDuffy, who admitted robbing Carroll, police said.

The two were arrested May 30, the day after Carroll's death, and were shocked to learn Carroll had died, police say.

Members of Carroll's family could not be reached for comment Friday.

McDuffy's mother, Tracy Bell, said McDuffy was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

She said Washington, who is also her godson, pushed Carroll to the ground. McDuffy never touched him, she said.

"It wasn't his fault," Bell said. "I'm going to do anything to protect my son," including implicating her godson.

Washington admitted pushing Carroll, police have said. McDuffy gave police the same account of the robbery and subsequent push.

If everyone agrees McDuffy didn't push Carroll, Bell can't fathom why McDuffy is facing a murder charge. "It doesn't make sense," Bell said.

Prosecutors would not comment further.

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