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Wrestling death boy moved to juvenile facility

Fourteen-year-old Lionel Tate is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 6-year-old Tiffany Eubanks.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (CNN) -- A 14-year-old boy sentenced to life in prison has been transferred from a reception center in Miami to a juvenile facility in Okeechobee, Florida, corrections officials said Tuesday.

Lionel Tate, who was given a life sentence last week for the 1999 killing of a 6-year-old playmate, was transferred Monday afternoon to the Okeechobee Juvenile Offender Correction Center.

Tate's attorneys plan to file an appeal and are asking Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to shorten Tate's sentence. Prosecutors have said they will not oppose clemency for Tate.

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A Bush spokesman said the governor told corrections officials to make the transfer "as soon as possible."

Pending some action by an appeals court or by the governor, Tate will remain in the facility until he is 18. After that, he would be transferred to an adult prison.

Tate was 12 years old when the killing occurred. His attorneys contended that he was simply trying wresting moves on Tiffany Eunick, whom he was baby-sitting.

The girl suffered numerous injuries, including a skull fracture and a severed liver.

During Tate's trial, prosecutors offered a plea bargain that would have put Tate in a juvenile prison for three years, followed by a year of house arrest and 10 years of probation.

Tate's mother turned down the deal in the belief he would not be convicted.

When he was convicted, defense attorneys asked the judge to reduce the charge, thereby reducing the sentence, or to order a new trial. The judge refused.

Defense to appeal teen's life sentence
March 9, 2001
Attorneys argue prison fate of convicted teen murderer
March 2, 2001
Florida judge hears motions in child murder case
February 23, 2001
Defense to appeal boy's murder conviction in 'wrestling death'
January 26, 2001
Jury finds teen guilty of first-degree murder in Florida wrestling death
January 25, 2001

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