Tampa murder suspect arraigned

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Rosa is charged with first-degree murder.

Joshua Rosa, accused of killing 13-year-old Stephen Tomlinson in early December, entered a not-guilty plea Monday in Hillsborough County court.

Tomlinson was found strangled in a wooded area of Logan Gate Park about two blocks from his Carrollwood home. Rosa, a 20-year-old youth minister, became a prime suspect once police began questioning witnesses. They told investigators they saw Rosa at the park about the time of Tomlinson's death.

Sheriff's detectives found Rosa's keys under Tomlinson's body. Rosa told police he lost the keys while jogging, but later told police he found Tomlinson's body and tried to revive him.

Rosa was arrested Jan. 6 on first-degree murder charges. He was scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 23, but the judge rescheduled to Monday so Rosa could hire an attorney.

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