Murdering Molester or Killer Kids?

Sept. 6 -- In theory, Florida prosecutors believe convicted child molester Ricky Chavis and two baby-faced brothers are both innocent and guilty of the same murder.

Chavis and brothers Alex and Derek King have been tried separately for the November 2001 bludgeoning death of the boys' father Terry King. Last week, with testimony and statements from the young brothers, Florida prosecutors asked a jury to believe Chavis himself killed King; this week they asked a separate jury which began deliberations Thursday, to believe the King brothers were responsible for their father's murder.

Florida prosecutors had two clashing theories in the death but did not choose between the two. Instead, they presented both in two trials. Both theories were fueled by statements given by Derek and Alex, who were 13 and 12 at the time of the slaying but were tried as adults.

A Tale of Two Statements

Alex and Derek initially confessed their involvement in the killing to police. Both confessed that they killed their father because they feared he would punish them for running away. Derek, then 13, said his younger brother Alex, then 12, hatched the murder plan and Derek carried it out, repeatedly striking his father with a baseball bat. They both then set their home on fire to cover up the killing, according to the confessions.

Later, the boys recanted, and said former family friend Chavis was the real killer. In the revised statements, the brothers said they were not involved in killing, that they let Chavis into their home after midnight and that he struck the fatal blows as they hid in his car trunk.

Chavis, they said, encouraged them to confess to the murder and cover-up for him. He allegedly told them that they could claim self-defense, since they believed their father was strict and domineering, that they would get less jail time because they are juveniles and ultimately, they would be allowed live with him. Alex, now 13, told police that he and the 40-year-old Chavis had been having sex and that they were in love.