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Man, 21, fatally stabbed in street brawl

Tampa police say the fight between him and a paralegal, whom they are questioning, spanned two city blocks.

By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published December 8, 2005

TAMPA - A 21-year-old man died Wednesday night after being stabbed on a darkened street by a paralegal who police say may have been trying to protect private property.

Tampa police were questioning James Behanna, 36, the paralegal, who reportedly pulled a pocket knife on Robert Mears after the two of them brawled for two city blocks.

Police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said the incident stemmed from a dispute on Tuesday between Mears and his friend, Patrick Waterkotte, 38, at the apartments at 7908 N Florida Ave., on the corner of W Stanley St.

Mears, who McElroy said had just moved to Florida from Pittsburgh, came home from work Wednesday night and had another argument with Waterkotte. This time, a fist-fight ensued and Mears kicked Waterkotte in the head.

Mears then crossed the street to the parking lot at 8002 N Florida Ave., a law firm office that property records show is owned by attorney Aida Rodriguez. A neighbor, Keith Guinn, 37, said Mears wanted to cool off and sit by the Hillsborough River, which flows through the law firm's back yard.

McElroy described what police believe happened next:

A woman at the law firm asked Mears to leave the property. He refused. Another woman told him to leave the property. Mears refused again. Then, the women got Behanna to respond.

Behanna and Mears began a shoving match. The two of them were involved in a brawl and pursuit that spanned two city blocks, as they traveled westward on foot down W Stanley Street. Behanna's wife was also entangled in the fight.

The brawl ended as Behanna pulled a pocketknife on the 21-year-old and stabbed him.

Neighbors said Mears lived in the hotel-apartment complex for about a month. He and his girlfriend relocated to Tampa for a better life, Guinn said.

"It was a real life tragedy," Guinn said. "A senseless killing."

McElroy said it was too early to say what fueled the argument that lasted two days. But Guinn said the victim came home to find some of his belongings - including a guitar and a skateboard - destroyed.

Mears died on the way to the hospital. Waterkotte was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. His condition was not available late Wednesday.

No charges had been filed against Behanna as of Wednesday night. McElroy said police were investigating.

[Last modified December 8, 2005, 00:49:13]