Three St. Pete Teens Arrested for Attempted Murder, Armed Robbery

Three St. Petersburg teenagers were arrested late last evening after they attempted to rob an Exxon station at 3061 First Ave. N. in St. Petersburg.  According to police reports, undercover detectives watched as two teens entered the store to rob it while the third youth served as the lookout.  When the teens reached their bicycles that had been stashed in a nearby alleyway, the two cops confronted them.  That's when James Allen Seay, 18, of 5313 21st Ave. S. fired multiple rounds hitting one of the police officers in the upper and lower body.  The two other arrested suspects were Desmond John Creary, 17, of 4644 15th Ave. S.

and Shaheed Amad Wright, 16, of 4425 15th Ave. S.

All three are in serious trouble and will need a good criminal trial lawyer.  The shooting and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer may bring the harshest of penalties.  While the St. Pete Times is reporting that Seay confessed to the shooting we don't know the circumstances of the confession.  Was it coerced?  Were the three read their Miranda Rights?  Did they understand them?  At this point, in spite of the high emotions which rightly coincide with such a violent crime, the suspects are still just that, suspects.  The crimes are still alleged to have been committed by these three.  As unpopular as it may be, these three deserve to be regarded as innocent until proven guilty in a court of law not in the press or public opinion. 

On a final note, my thoughts are with the 19 year police veteran recovering from substantial wounds.