Plea deal pulled after Fluellen claims false testimony

Teen was facing sentencing for accessory in 2023 murder of 12-year-old.

  • Jatarious Fluellen II said during his closing statement of a sentencing hearing Tuesday that he gave false testimony after arrests following the August 2023 murder of Mariah Smith. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)
    Jatarious Fluellen II said during his closing statement of a sentencing hearing Tuesday that he gave false testimony after arrests following the August 2023 murder of Mariah Smith. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

    The third teen charged in the 2023 shooting death of a child likely saw his chance at a plea deal vanish at his sentencing hearing. 

    Jatarious Fluellen II told Third Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Ol…