His friend prabably told him he no lomger believed in God and Jesus.

For more Christian shenanigans, check out http://www.jesus21.com.

From the prior reports: "Residents, meanwhile, said the neighborhood was generally safe, but they complained about the fact that the park has no lights and also worried about several registered sex offenders known to live in the area."

Meanwhile it was the youth pastor. Sad.

the crazy thing is i used to hangout at his house to play tekken. we were friends since ninth grade and i talked to him every now and then. he worked at the same shopping plaza i did. i just dont know, he was a youth minister and he talked about those kids as if they were his sibblings. i can't believe the same guy who was in rotc and the same scrawny guy who graduated with me is the same guy who killed a 13yrd boy. its just shocking to me. i wish we knew the reason he did it.

It could have been a myriad of many things, anger, jealousy, rage, insanity, mimicking a movie, it just goes to show that anyone can claim a religious title and it means absolutely nothing.

"Ron Tomlinson, the victim's father, said he had always trusted Rosa in the past. When asked Friday what he would say to Rosa now, Tomlinson said, "I hope you burn in hell."

Its pretty obvious that Rosa didn't believe in god or hell even if he was given the title youth pastor. The father must believe that heaven exists - at least for his sons' sake. And, therefore, there must be a hell. I wonder if this father realizes that there are many christian denominations that believe that his son, and Rosa will be re-united in heaven, if Rosa prays for forgiveness.

So, if we take the memories with us into a theoretical heaven, there's nothing like reliving the last moments of a strangulation. Or, do we just lose our memories. If so, I suppose father and son will never know eachother again, even if they make it into heaven. Hmmmmm, what a dilemna. I'm sure some fundy is going to chime in, and state that Rosa wasn't a true christian, but then that puts all clergy into speculation as being true christians. Why would anyone believe what a youth pastor says, if they didn't obviously believe their own words, based upon their actions.

Okay, I've gotta' ask. Any Christian chime in, please. Can a "male", who is engaged to be married, have sex with as many women as possible, and still be a "true" christian. I mean, in theory, according to christians we all sin anyway and can't prevent ourselves from sinning, insomuch, as its expected. What prevents a Christian from just following through with their sinful desires. In short, what makes a sinful christian (murderer), any less sinful, than a man who cheats on his fiance.

if he did do the crime i'm sure josh is praying for his forgiveness. he was the type to forgive those around him. i'm just wondering if he can forgive himself... for some reason i believe there's alot more to this story as to what drove josh to kill tomilson. as his friend i want to believe he is innocent but evidence is truth that can sometimes be pointed in the direction we want it to. at the same time, sometimes poeple don't need a reason. i don't know, it just doesn't add up to me... why would he do it? he had everything going for him. i guess time will tell...

Anonymous said: "if he did do the crime i'm sure josh is praying for his forgiveness."

Wake up a smell the coffee. If josh was a serial killer, would you still hold on to your "hopes" of forgiveness or would you demand the death penalty? I wonder!

Anonymous said: "he was the type to forgive those around him."

Yeah, his so call "forgiveness" did not extend to his victim.

Anonymous said: i'm just wondering if he can forgive himself... "

And I'm holding my breath to see if he can bring his victim back to life.

Anonymous said: "for some reason i believe there's alot more to this story as to what drove josh to kill tomilson."

What logical reason is there to murder another? Was it self defense? The Tomlinson boy had blood coming out of his ear and his pants below his ankles. Josh got rid of a pair gloves and they found finger nail clippers in his possession. Josh attempts were to cover the DNA evidence of Tomlinson struggling for his life.

Anonymous said: “as his friend i want to believe he is innocent but evidence is truth that can sometimes be pointed in the direction we want it to"

The evidence pointed to Josh and there is no getting around it.

Anonymous said: "sometimes poeple don't need a reason. i don't know,.."

Mental Illness, that's a reason. Of course, it doesn't mix well with religion. On any given day, walk into an asylum and ask who believes in a boogie man, a sky fairy and hear voices.

Anonymous said: "he had everything going for him."

On the surface it seems so, but apparently in his mind, it told a different story.

This incident reminds me of Brian and Dee Dee (story can be found here on ex-Christian). Brian was a youth pastor who killed his wife and hid her body. It seems, as the members put it, he had everything going for him, but low and behold, Brian was a monster waiting to happen.

We've been invaded by religious zombies.

What he did was wrong. Stephen was a good kid and he didnt need to die like that.

Rosa was...and IS, a friend of mine. He was always very much involved in the church, always spoke about his kids as if they were his own. Took care of them, looked out for them, tried to spoil them if and when he could. He always wanted the best for them, always told me when they were bad and who it was and where they cant go now, and places he wanted to take them. Just trying to get them out of their struggles even as kids and into something better... there was some straight ass passion when he spoke about the kids in youth. I knew him from ROTC to. He was funny, crazy(in the good way) reasonable, like a psychologist would be...we were studying in school together,the same thing, should have been seeing him again come this past monday. =o(
What do I and several others believe happened???... Rosa's been taught a lot of first aid, -clothes in disarray-if in shock ur suppose to loosen the clothing, nothing says something happened and yet the media says draw ur own conclusion making it sound worse than it is. The -hole puncture-to help Tomlinson breathe, his -keys were under his body- rolled the kid over on them when he saw him and went for help, only someone else came back with help first, its not like he went and hid...He was there. The gloves???...they were clean and his hands were not. If he was trying to get rid of evidence and was smart enough to use clippers, what makes u think he would keep the gloves and not wash his hands? Makes ppl think, if u find someone barely breathing, dont help. And finally the nail clippers. A friend of mine and myself believe hes covering up for someone else. He did what he could to stop something that happened, but couldnt. If so, Will he give up the other person?...No. If he cared enough to help, it means its someone he believes is worth saving.......I agree with Tomlinson's father's emotions though, but even if...say they prove he's innocent and tried to help, his father wouldnt care, he needs to see someone suffer for what happened to his boy, his youngest, his baby. But everyone wants to turn against a person when they dont even know them, the victim, or what happened...
The media says to draw your own conclusion...Well, perhaps its MUCH different from urs, ...but its mine.

If Rosa, has one moral, just one. Honesty at this very moment would be in everyones' interest. Court cases are not flawless, innocent people are convicted and guilty people are acquitted all the time.

There is only 'one' known living person who holds the 'truth' to this event, unless investigators have more information. If Rosa doesn't give the whole truth, then he 'values' the 'information' he is witholding more than the victims' life, and the victims' fathers' psychological suffering.

Witnesses saw Rosa dumping the gloves and attempting to throw them away, not something someone would be doing if they were attempting to save a child. If Rosa was in the wrong place at the wrong time, then, how many people run around with latex gloves on them, in a park.

If someone suggests that Rosa may have been assisting the victim, by loosening his clothing. Loosening clothing to assist in first aid, is a far cry from dropping a childs' pants to their ankles. If the face is red, raise the head, if the face is pale, raise the tail(feet), that is immediate treatment for shock. Loosening clothing if a victim is in heat stroke, shock, or exhaustion... but, dropping the pants, I don't buy it. Of course, that is my humble but equal opinion.

If I were an investigator, I would "suspect", that the park wasn't the crime scene. That the victim was killed at a different location, and brought to the park, by 'someone' with latex gloves and a flashlight, who was seen "freaking out" at the scene of the body. The pants being dropped were likely a ruse, to throw the police off, so the investigation would turn towards the known sexual offenders in the area. Motive? Ask the person who killed the victim, but there is only one link to the dead body, and that would be Rosa. He will get his chance to provide information in court.

Sounds like the classic OJ Simpson case. You can't indict a football star or you can't indict a man of god.

Anonymous said: "always spoke about his kids as if they were his own. Took care of them, looked out for them, tried to spoil them if and when he could. He always wanted the best for them, always told me when they were bad and who it was and where they cant go now, and places he wanted to take them. Just trying to get them out of their struggles even as kids and into something better... there was some straight ass passion when he spoke about the kids in youth"

CLAPS! CLAPS! CLAPS!

It sounds as if Josh couldn't keep one of kids in line. Therefore, he had to do something about it - Tomlinso boy had blood coming from his ear, his pants below his waist for who knows what; and his last breath was snuffed out. When it was all done he got a manicure.

Neat way to keep those buggers in the straight and narrow. Uh?

Either you are a Fucking Retard or the Tomlinson boy is alive and none of this really happened. Which should I believe?

don't judge josh if you don't know him. you never got a chance to even speak with him to make your assumtions about what kind of person he is. I also was his friend and the possiblities of what happened are many. i belive his innocents and there are many reports as to how the body was found, DNA does put him there and present but still doesn't give a definitive answer whether he did it or not. josh was taught CPR and first aid proceedures. also assuming that josh was a pedophiliac would make people feel comfortable labling josh the killer. like I said before there is more to this story than meets the eye.

yada yada yada Anonymous, show us your reports...

"DNA does put him there and present but still doesn't give a definitive answer whether he did it or not."

Need I say more?"

Anonymous 1/13/2006 5:37 PM: "don't judge josh if you don't know him. you never got a chance to even speak with him to make your assumtions about what kind of person he is."

Anonymous, I just have one question, and since no one knows who you are, you can be totally honest...

In regard to Values... Do you believe that loyalty to a person or cause, should outweigh the value of "life"? I know, its a tough one...

One example that comes to mind that tested these values... The Unabomber Theodore John Kaczynski.

"Kaczynski's younger brother David recognized Ted's writing style from the published manifesto and notified authorities, who sent officers to arrest Kaczynski on April 3, 1996, at his remote cabin outside Lincoln, Montana. David Kaczynski had once admired and emulated his elder brother but had later decided to leave the survivalist lifestyle behind. David had received assurances from the FBI that he would remain anonymous and that in particular his brother would not learn who had turned him in, but his identity was later leaked — prompting an unsuccessful internal investigation by the FBI. In addition, the family received guarantees, which were later betrayed, that prosecutors would not seek the death penalty against Ted."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Kaczynski

It must have been hard for one brother to turn the other one in... but it was done in the name of justice... Even though our justice system seems to fail quite frequently, especially in major court cases... the younger brother had to make a determination based on his values, it appears that he chose "life" as more valuable than "loyalty" to his brother...

The younger brothers' loyalty could surely have saved Ted's life, but at the cost of endangering inumerable other lives... The younger brother chose, to forego loyalty of his brother, to protect "lives"...

Again, if you were faced with this same scenario, and you were the one who saw Rosa at the scene of the crime, and you were the only one there... would you have turned him in...

The young man who committed the murder should be punished in accordance with our law, that's true, but those who take delight in this tragedy simply because he was youth minister are far worse...

for sure, they're already dead, and have become something less than human.

Who said he was a youth minister? you? Just because someone elects themselves a title does that mean that they own or live up to that title? Churchly titles are free and cheap and a dime a dozen.

Yes, titles are kinda cheap he has what's coming to him he had no right to do what he did! But I never did get why he did it and it doesn't matter i will never forgive the jerk..

I've known Josh sionce I was 12 years old and I am now 19. I don't believe that he killed steven. I'm not just saying that because I want to believe it but because I know it. There are so many innocent people in jail because the police could not find the real person who commited the crime. It's sad but it happens everyday.

Josh is a man of God!!! I know that for sure! He's simply being tested. I remeber a conversation we had once shortly after my father passed. I asked him why we had to go through so much pain here on earth if God loved us sooooooo much and his answer simply because God wants to see how much we love, and trust him to hold on in the bad times. WOW!! That doesn't sound like a killer to me. He's just a kid who loves the Lord with all his heart and soul. I truly believe he's being tested. Just like Job.

Praise God yes, that's it!!!

How else can God get into prison to minister, except to have his own to murder a sinner, so that he may look guilty, but really innocent, so that the gospel of Jesus can reach the Hearts of the so many lost and wicked in prison.

So that being the case, it's in all probability that so many in prison are just sent there by God to pastor and preach Jesus's holy word.

Amen hallelujah!!!!...I just want to get up and shout Thank You! Thank You! Jesus! for your holy word!!!

You stupid fucktard!!!!

steohen was a friend of mine...he loved life...he never had a frown on his face...i met him the first month of school...we all loved him very very much..please if you are reading this just pray for him and his family...if u met him he was the sweetest guy in the world..
100's of hearts were broken as our school lost a very good friend...

R.I.P stephen..we will meet again...

Although I did not get the privelage to meet Stephen i know his family and they are wonderful people Stephen didnt deserve what happened to him from what i hear he was a wonderful smart witty funny bright futured religious teenager whos family loved him very much.To the asshole on this blog who thinks rosa is inocent you are sadly mistaken..so ur sayin rosa was just strollin through the park in a place where stephen happened to be at which was a place where not alot of people in the community went to and at that specific time something was wrong with stephen and rosa being the superhero he is tried to help stephen rite?? nope ur dumb and so is ur friend rosa.. he took away a young childs life and now he is going to get what he deserves... the death penalty and i hope that what he did eats at his concious every night so much to where he cant breath and cant sleep and ends up going crazy because Stephen nor his family deserves that.Everything comes back around and now god will punish rosa for his actions and as for stephen he is with god looking down on his family and protecting them R.I.P. Stephen Tomlinson

This is a troubling event. I have known Josh for years, and even witnessed firsthand his interactions with the children in his youth group. He cared about those children, and even took the role of surrogate father to some of them. He taught them fencing, and to love God. So what drove him to do this? I honestly don't know. I do know however, that leading up to this murder, Josh's personality began to change significantly. I heard from a friend who went to get lunch with Josh that Josh was wearing training gloves for boxing and that he was threatening people left and right as they walked by. The once cheerful, easy-going person we knew turned into someone else. But why? I guess this case will answer all of our questions. What I do know, is that Josh has had such a big influence on my life, and until now has always served as a positive role-model to me. It's easy for people who don't know him to jump to conclusions and name him a psychopath. For those of us who know him, I think we just want to know: "Why?"

Hello Anonymous:

Could you please give Sally Blevins at the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office a Call reference your comment to this article. I can be reached at 813-274-1752. Thank you

I'm a nurse and if I find somebody not breathing I'm not going to puncture their throat to help them breathe. I would give the person breaths and/or CPR. You leave the trach opening for the md or paramedics. Also the gloves had blood on them and Josh tried to get rid of them. I believe he got caught before he could get rid of all of the evidence. How many serial killers had a perfect past with no criminal record or didn't seem to have anything wrong with their life? Why did he try to hide his face when the police picked him up the night of the murder? Why hasn't he shown any emotions except laughter in court?

Hi this is stephens dad. Would the person that wrote the comment on 7/15/06 please give me a call at (813)-965-3256 I understand that you had a hard time belieaving what josh did. I know my self even good people go bad all the time. so if you would please see it in your heart to give me a call so we can talk? Thank you stephens dad ron tomlinson

I'm sorry for your loss Mr. Tomlinson...but I don't know enough about the incident I stated on 7/15...

But you do know about the change in Josh's personality. Just state the facts of what you know. Please find it in your heart to help Stephen's killer be brought to justice. Josh could've been a good kid, but something changed him. You know in court, it is going to be all about them bringing up any bad history of the Tomlinson's or making any event look worse than it was. They won't be able to defend theirselves or talk about the wonderful person Stephen was. Josh gets to have character witnesses there saying how wonderful he is even though brutally took another life. How fair is that? No matter what happens in court, he does have to live with himself and I hope it eats him alive. He deserves to suffer just like Stephen had to while struggling for his last few breaths after getting beaten.

Please just email the person who gave you the information with what happened that day. They would never know who told us. You don't have to email, just call 813-965-3256 anonymously and leave the name of the person who gave you the info. If found out that you were withholding information, it could be a felony charge. Nobody had to know who you are. Just please help.

what has been going on in the trial?

The actual trial hasn't started yet. Josh's church is there to support him every appearance though. It is pretty sad that they will support a murderer. When you have teenager's kind of cheering when Josh comes out, that is sick. They need to read the 10 commandments, especially the one that says, "Thou shalt not kill." If they're trying to intimidate the Tomlinson family, it isn't working. No matter what they say or do, the family knows he is guilty. DNA doesn't lie. Stephen probably haunts him every night in his dreams. Then again it probably doesn't affect Josh because he doesn't act like he has a conscience. It is a big laugh to him. My opinion, he was probably going to be some serial killer, but got caught.

I don't know who you are, but would you continue updating us on the Rosa trial since the news papers are not?

The trial may actually begin in late summer of this year. I wasn't there the last court appearance, but I was told Josh had a black eye and busted lip. Maybe he is getting a taste of his own medicine.

i thought it was supposed to start back in january what happened?

The arraignment did. It has just been the normal proceedings where it just doesn't start trial yet.

Any news?

im sorry it doesnt make sence to me how you can roll him over your keys, have defensive wounds, have tomlinsons DNA on his nail clippers,bloody hands an clean gloves but people still trying to say he didnt do it......one of these comments say if his hands are dirty but his gloves arent an hes smart enough to use nail clippers dont you think he's smart enough to clean his hands.....im pretty sure he would of if he didnt get caught he had the nail clippers in his pockets... hows that make any sense....the only way you can say it makes sence is if he was trying to hide it so he wouldnt get caught he figuered put it in my pocket get out of here no evidence, only problem was he didnt expect to get confronted by people that saw him......He's a Murderer an he deserves what he gets......my prayers go out to the Parents who lost there son

any news

They are supposed to go to trial at the end of October. That is what I heard last. Now we'll just have to see. I just pray that justice is served. Stephen RIP! We love and miss you very much, but we know that you are happy in Heaven!

I FEEL FOR STEPHEN'S PARENTS, NO ONE SHOULD LOOSE A CHILD IN THAT MANNER, I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING A HARD TIME PUTTING MYSELF IN THEIR SHOES, BUT I DO KNOW THAT I WOULD WANT THE REAL KILLER TO BE CAUGHT AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. I HAVE READ ALL I COULD FIND ON THIS CASE AND I CAN'T SEE WHY THEY WOULD THINK THAT J. ROSA DID IT. IF I WERE TO FIND A FRIEND OF MINE HURT I WOULD TOSS WHATEVER I HAD IN MY HANDS...TURN THEM OVER AND TRY TO DO AS MUCH AS I COULD FOR THAT PERSON. J. ROSA WAS TRYING TO HELP ONE OF HIS FRIENDS AND INSTEAD HE IS BEING CHARGED WITH THIS HORRIBLE CRIME WHILE THE REAL PEOPLE ARE STILL OUT THERE LAUGHING AT THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND HOW EASY IT IS TO FOOL THEM. I PRAY THAT ALL IS BROUGHT TO LIGHT AND THIS INOCENT MAN IS SET FREE AND THAT THE REAL KILLERS PAY FOR WHAT THEY DID TO THIS INOCENT BOY.

To the Anonymous with a phobia against lower-case letters: What if Rosa did actually do it? Why are you so sure that the "real killers" are still out there?

If the courts do decide that the evidence does, in fact, implicate the accused in this killing I trust that you will do the right thing and acknowledge that you were in error regarding this matter.

Miss/Mrs. Cleo, is it just a gut feeling you have that j. rosa is innocent?,or the fact that he was a youth minister, and you think just because he is an alleged christian means there is no way a christian could commit such a crime? Perhaps also you belonged to the same church as him. Pray tell, since you have been following the case, that makes you so sure he is innocent. Thanks in advance, Roger....A/A

ROGER...NO I DO NOT BELONG TO THE CHURCH WHERE J ROSA GOES....AND I HAVE SEEN ALLEGED CHRISTIANS DO THINGS I WOULDN'T DARE DO....BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE NOT BEING SAID....IN MOST CASES SOMETHING COMES OUT IN THE END AND I REALLY FEEL THAT THE BOYS FATHER MAY HAVE TO THANK J ROSA FOR TRYING TO SAVE HIS SONS LIFE....I AM A PARALEGAL....I DO ALL THE RESEARCH...READ ALL YOU CAN AND PRAY TELL ME WHAT YOU GET FROM IT.

Cleo, I have read all I could find out about the murder of this young man, and so far, all the evidence points to rosa either being guilty himself, or he was with someone who he new very well who did commit the crime, and is taking the rap for him, in which,if there was someone else involved,then both of them should get whats coming to them;DEATH!!!;And Mr. Tomlinson, I am so sorry you and your family are suffering over the loss of your son. Me and my wife have been suffering over 5 yrs.now, over our daughter who was shot and crippled by a boyfriend. Me and my wife have both agreed, if we new from the start how much our daughter was going to suffer over this(animal's)act, then she would have been better off dying, as much as it hurts to say that. Hell, her boyfriend only served about 2 yrs. on a 5 yr. sentence in with he plea bargained for. That son-of a-bitch didn't even go to prison; He served his time in county jail, as a trustee on top of that. Again, Mr. Tomlinson, I hope you see justice served, but as for me and my family, we haven't seen any, YET! he best to you and your family...Roger Shrum

Thanks freethinker for the support. I am sorry about your daughter. Cleo, if you are a paralegal, then how do u get that Josh was just trying to help? He had battle marks on his face the night of the murder, he had Stephen's blood on his clothes, blood on gloves that he tried to throw away, and Stephen's DNA on nail clippers in his pocket. Please explain all of this to me! He was jogging in a tank top and gloves. Why would he wear gloves with a tank top? Why did he try to leave when the cops were coming and have to be held down by another parent? Why did he not tell the kids that saw him leaving from where stephen was that he was lying back there dead. At first, he didn't even say who it was back there. If he was trying to save Stephen, then why didn't he do cpr? Why didn't the blood found on him match to looking like he was trying to help. Why would he first say he lost his keys and then say he tried to use them to make a hole so Stephen could breathe? I'm a nurse and I'm not even going to try to put a hole in someone's trach because that is the md's job. Why was he looking for Stephen so much before they left for the park together and why was he the first one with Stephen's dead body? If he didn't do it then he is really covering somebody's ass. Yes there is evidence we don't know about because they have to keep it private, so as not to ruin the case. No matter what Rosa's attorney has to say, you'll never convince me that he didn't do it. I didn't know Rosa, but from the moment I was on the phone when my father in law received the news about Stephen, I said something was fishy about Rosa. He hid in the police car for one, and then he has showed no emotions, except for laughter in the courtroom. This isn't a joke, it was a very cruel act of violence. Rosa's favorite show was CSI, so they probably taught him how to hide evidence, but he didn't anticipate getting caught with the body. He knows he probably wouldn't have been a major suspect if he wouldn't have got caught with the evidence he did that night. He would only have been questioned because he was asking around alot for Stephen that day and because they left for the park together that day. The nail clippers shows that he was trying to get rid of evidence, that is why Rosa's Dna wasn't found on Stephen. It was very horrible to have to see STephen in that casket. You could see the bruises and marks and could tell he had fought back. Do you know how hard that is to see and how angry it makes you? He had to suffer terribly; he had to fight for his last breaths while being beaten brutally. I hope Rosa sees his face every day as he lies there trying to sleep. Stephen was a good kid, even though he had a very hard life. I'd love to know what he found out about Rosa, that Rosa needed to keep such a secret. Or since his pants were down, was he going to try to rape Stephen, and Stephen fought until his death. Thank God, if that was the case, he didn't suceed. I'd love to see what you have read that makes him sound so innocent. Even some of his followers have showed their doubt on here. There is people that have wanted to speak out, but for some reason they have been scared to. Anyways, Rosa has to face God someday and he will pay. He has already gotten out of the death penalty, so he gets to live. Then again, maybe he'll suffer more by having to live with what he has done. Who knows though because he acts like he don't have a conscious. In my opinion, he acts like he would've been a serial killer. He thought he had a perfect murder planned. I feel like he was going to go get his car so he could get rid of the body, but he realized his keys were gone. He probably lost them while he was fighting poor Stephen. Even if Stephen said or did something to make him mad, he didn't deserve to be killed. I just hope he gets life without parole and don't end up getting off scott free. Money for that lawyer he has can do anything. That has been proven many times in our justice system. They would really have to have some really good, strong evidence showing Rosa wasn't there. I just don't feel like that will happen. The sad thing is Josh gets to have character witnesses saying he was such a good person and Stephen's family will probably be the ones on trial. Rosa's lawyer can drag the tomlinson's name through the dirt if he wants to. The victim is the one always on trial. Hopefully, the DA will have enough to fry his ass and be able to disprove of his lawyer's schemes to set Josh free. I even had a dream where Stephen came to me and told me Josh would get away with the murder, but he was ok because he was in Heaven. I just wish Stephen would've been the one to come visit us, so Josh couldn't have gotten to him. I wish he could've lived long enough to tell the cops or paramedics Josh did it. I am just so sick of hearing how great Josh is and that he is so innocent. It makes me sick!!!

any news about the trial

News Releases are to be used for informational purposes only.
Information provided should not be relied upon for any type of legal action.

Release Number: 06-014 For Immediate Release
Public Information Office


J.D. Callaway: (813) 247-8058
(813) 247-8060




Who:
Joshua Rosa

DOB: 1/24/86

What:
First-degree murder charge

When:
Friday, January 6

Where:
Tampa

Why/How:
Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee announces an arrest in the December homicide of 13-year-old Stephen Tomlinson at Logan Gate Park 3 in northwestern Hillsborough County.

This evening Sheriff’s detectives arrested Joshua Rosa, 19, on a charge of first-degree murder. Rosa was taken into custody at his place of business around 6 p.m.

“Detectives were steadfast in their investigation, and we needed crucial laboratory analysis of evidence before we could make an arrest,’’ Sheriff Gee said. “We hope this arrest can bring some solace to the victim’s family and some relief for anxious residents near the park.’’

The victim was manually strangled on December 8 between 7 p.m and 7:40 p.m. at a dark, secluded section of the park. Witnesses reported seeing Rosa at the park at the time, and he made statements about finding the teen’s body when he returned to the area to locate keys he had lost while jogging. Detectives discovered Rosa’s keys beneath the victim’s body. The defendant also stated he had attempted to open an airway for the victim to try and revive him.

Scientific examination of evidence revealed DNA on nail clippers in the defendant’s possession, and the victim’s blood on Rosa’s hands and a pair of white gloves found on him at the park off Monterey Boulevard.

Rosa was being held without bond in the Orient Road Jail.

# # # # #

does anyone no when is his court date

They are supposed to pick jury at the end of October. So it may start oct.29.

They have changed the date and it will be either early january or middle of febuary next year.

It is a shame that rosa was suppose to help my kid with some problems that he had, my kid got caught shoplifting and he convinced me that him and his church does such a great job on consuling kids, now i have to live with this. i guess you'll never know who to trust and the justice system, there is none for the victims, this should've been a death penalty case cause i sure like to see him take his last breath while im holding my sons picture up to him, the legal system is nothing but a joke to my opinion.

this is worst then the o.j case when he murdered his wife i dont undestand how long does it take to pick a jury whats wrong with the tampa courts

for all you people that think josh rosa is innocent i have space candy for sale.

The pretrial is Feb.18 and the trial starts Feb.25, 2008. This is not supposed to change, but if it does, I'll post the date.

Why so many complications with the trial Mrs. Tomlinson? I wish justice were served here. Thank you for your time and good luck.

I don't know what is taking so long. I don't live in Florida, so I don't get to go to all of these court dates. With prayer we'll get to attend the trial. I really pray justice is served for Stephen.

is the trial going to be the same date

It looks like the trial isn't going to start until March.

The trial is set for April 7, 2008.

this trial is lasting way to long...when will it ever end? Both families are suffering and there needs to be an end to everything once and for all, but we all know that even if he is found guilty then there comes the appeals..
But everyone needs to understand that whether he is guilty or not, God will forgive ALL of our sins...it doesn't matter who you are, what you have done, your race or ethnicity, he is a loving and forgiving God. His Love for us surpasses all understanding, especially ours...NO I am not an Ex-Christian, and I try to live a righteous life and teach my children the same. Never had even a speeding ticket. Why? Because I have learned that being a christian is all about following rules and living an exemplary life, and If you can't do that,then you shouldn't call yourself a christian, you are just a believer.

"...I have learned that being a christian is all about following rules..."


Muslims follow rules as well. So does every other religion that I know of.

How do you know what rules to obey when the biblegod told people to commit genocide, infantacide, mutilations, and a list of other atrocities?

How is it that you suggest obeying a god like that makes your life "exemplary"?

I don't think it does. I think your life becomes exemplary by rightfully ignoring the barbaric rules laid down by the biblegod and chooseing to obey only those that allow you to be part of a peacefull and free society.

A god belief isn't required to live an exemplary life.

I, for one, have never flown a plane into a building.

Aren't I the exemplary one now?

Updates on the trial? Anyone? Fry this kid.

why fry him

why fry the kid for dont no if he did it

Can someone post an update? I want to know what's going on. Thanks.

The trial is supposed to start July 14th. Hopefully,then Rosa will get his life in prison because they didn't seek the death penalty. Maybe he will suffer more when the other inmates find out what he is in prison for. He will get put out in population at the jail then and not have any protection.

This is rediculous. My heart goes out to the Tomlison family because no one should have to go through a loss like that. But at the same time I don't agree with most of the comments posted because 1. I'm sure that the majority of you who accuse Josh Rosa never met him because I'm sure that if you had met him you know that he is innocent and while Josh is suffering in jail for a crime he didn't commit the real killer is still out there and laughing. One of the comments stated a quote from the bible, "thou shall not kill." Well in the bible it also says we shouldn't judge others, especially if you don't them at all. I believe Josh is innocent, and yes I do know him and he is a great person and everyone that said such things as "Josh should burn in hell" I hope God forgives you for saying something like that. For those of you who are going to read and this and comment on it let me just let you know that no, I don't go to his church or church period but I do believe that theres a good reason why God had all this happen to Josh, there's a purpose for everything.

Yanelis: "I'm sure that the majority of you who accuse Josh Rosa never met him because I'm sure that if you had met him you know that he is innocent and while Josh is suffering in jail for a crime he didn't commit the real killer is still out there and laughing."

Yanelis, if you have actual evidence that might help free Mr. Rosa, then take it to the police immediately. Otherwise, STFU and wait for the outcome of the court case before pronouncing him innocent. That's what the justice system is for.

"Well in the bible it also says we shouldn't judge others..."

I, for one, don't care what the Bible says. (You do know that this is Ex-Christian.net, right?).

"...but I do believe that theres a good reason why God had all this happen to Josh..."

And what 'reason' might a god have for allowing that kid to die in such a horrible manner? (I know, I know... 'We cannot know the mind of God', and all that rot.)

*sighs heavily and shakes head*

You talking about Josh suffering well my family is suffering more at least he is breathing and eating and able to see his family we cant see stephen anymore just old pictures and memories and if you think he is so innocent why would he be sitting in jail the whole time do you think DNA lies?DNA will set somebody free or will convict somebody.For all you people thinks Josh is so innocent I have space candy avaliable HAHA!!I cant wait till July 14 when the trail begins then we will see whoes innocent when they bring out all the evidence they have on Josh let me know what you opinon the only ones that is suffering is my family.

Thank you, Family. That must have been a very painful thing to write. My condolences go out to you.

And yes, I'm more inclined to trust in thorough policework and DNA-based evidence than in "How dare you say such things! He's innocent!" from some unknown party on the Internet.

One way or another... May truth be revealed, and may justice be fully satisfied.