Homicide

Supporters say man framed his deaf brother for murder; Florida parole panel to hear case

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Attorneys Reginald Garcia, left, and Pat Bliss speak to the Florida Commission on Offender Review on behave of Felix Garcia on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, in Tallahassee, Fla. Garcia, a deaf Florida man who supporters say was framed for murder by his brother has a chance to get out of prison. Garcia is serving a life sentence for the murder of Joseph Tramontana Jr. during a 1981 Tampa robbery. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon) (The Associated Press)

Prosecuting attorney Mark Ober speaks to the Florida Commission on Offender Review concerning inmate Felix Garcia on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, in Tallahassee, Fla. Garcia, a deaf Florida man who supporters say was framed for murder by his brother has a chance to get out of prison. Garcia is serving a life sentence for the murder of Joseph Tramontana Jr. during a 1981 Tampa robbery. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon) (The Associated Press)

Attorneys Pat Bliss, right, and Reginald Gracia speak to the Florida Commission on Offender Review on behave of Felix Garcia on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, in Tallahassee, Fla. Garcia, a deaf Florida man who supporters say was framed for murder by his brother has a chance to get out of prison. Garcia is serving a life sentence for the murder of Joseph Tramontana Jr. during a 1981 Tampa robbery. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon) (The Associated Press)

A deaf Florida man who supporters say was framed for murder by his brother has a chance to get out of prison.

Felix Garcia's case will be heard Wednesday by Florida's parole commission.

He's serving a life sentence for the murder of Joseph Tramontana Jr. during a 1981 Tampa robbery.

But Garcia's advocates say his brother killed the man, then framed Felix. Frank Garcia has since recanted his testimony and says his brother wasn't involved in the murder.

Felix Garcia was tied to the crime through a pawn shop slip after his brother asked him to sell a ring.

Advocates also say Felix Garcia didn't get a fair trial. A hearing aid was provided for him and a courtroom speaker was turned up, but supporter say he still couldn't understand the proceedings.