TACOMA, Wash. — [if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE He has admitted his guilt, then changed his mind. He's been convicted of murder, then successfully appealed. Now, after 23 years, Larry Tarrer is getting another chance to win his freedom.
Tarrer, now 40, was 17 on Jan. 9, 1991, when he was accused of shooting two women at a home near Fort Lewis because he thought they stole some crack cocaine from him. Lavern Simpkins died at the scene. Claudia McCorvey, who was pregnant at the time, was left paralyzed. Her unborn son died after an emergency C-section at Madigan Army Medical Center.
On Monday, a trial began in Pierce County Superior Court with Tarrer once again trying to prove his innocence and prosecutors working to prove he shot the women because of the stolen drugs.
Tarrer pleaded guilty to the shooting in 1991 but later appealed to have his plea thrown out. That took more than 10 years, but finally he won a new trial in 2010. In that trial, deputy Pierce County prosecuting attorney John Neeb made a reference to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, during closing arguments.
"September 11, 2001, two airplanes flew into the World Trade Center in New York. I don't know if any of you were there, but I believe probably none of you were there. Do you have any doubt?" said Neeb.
Tarrer is Muslim and had successfully sued the Pierce County Jail, arguing that Muslims were denied food group prayers and other practices in keeping with their religion.
In his appeal Tarrer argued the prosecutor and some jurors were aware of his faith -- making that statement prejudicial.
The Washington State Appellate Court agreed with his claim.
Accused killer gets third chance at freedom
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