Inmate Denies Killing 12-Year-Old Girl in 1998
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Richard Tuite, 33, pleaded not guilty in the 1998 murder of Stephanie Ann Crowe, 12, in Escondido. Judge David Szumowski ordered Tuite held without bail and set a hearing for June 10.
Authorities said that Tuite, who was to be released from prison Friday on an unrelated burglary conviction, is linked to the murder by specks of the girl’s blood found on his sweatshirt.
Tuite’s attorney said he will seek to shift attention to three teenagers once charged in the case.
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