On Dec 8, 2005 Stephen Donald Tomlinson lost his life to a trusted member of his neighborhood and church. Joshua Rosa was found guilty of the strangulation death of 13 year old Stephen on July 21,2008. Due to Mr. Rosa\'s age, clean record and position in his church the death penalty was never sought. The purpose of this petition is for an aggravated circumstance to be added to Florida statute 921.141 sentence of death or life imprisonment for capital felonies. The aggravated circumstance being that a person who is in a position of authority who commits a murder of a minor under the age of 16 should be considered for the death penalty. The writer of this petition along with the family of Stephen Tomlinson believe that it was Joshua Rosa\'s position in his church as a youth minister and his upstanding community image that made this crime more egregious. As a signer of this petition you are stating that anyone who has a position of trust over children should be held more accountable for their actions due to a belief that our children are safe in their care. This includes but is not limited to teachers, religious leaders, coaches, baby sitters or counselors be they professional or volunteer.

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