Teria'le Rawls' sister testifies how she watched her sister die moments after Teria'le was shot at Bradenton movie theater

MANATEE -- The younger sister of 17-year-old Teria'le Rawls, who was shot to death last July, testified Tuesday she watched her die moments after gunshots were fired outside a Bradenton movie theater.

Early July 28, Rawls was hit in the head during an exchange of gunfire in the parking lot outside the Bradenton Carmike Royal Palm 20 theater, 5126 26th St. E., near U.S. 301 at State Road 70. She died 10 minutes later as she was being rushed to the hospital by her sister and friends.

Frank Brice, 19, of Palmetto, who faces charges of being a principal to second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by someone under age 24 previously found delinquent, is on trial this week. He was arrested July 29 after turning himself in after detectives had obtained a warrant for his arrest in Rawls' death.

If convicted, Brice could face life in prison.

Janiyah Moore, 15, took the stand Tuesday detailing the final hours of her sister's life, including time spent shopping for an outfit for the teen party they would later attend at the Touch of Class nightclub in Bradenton. Brice was among the people Moore recalled seeing at the party.

The teens met with an uncle and some friends after leaving the club, making a few pit stops before she said her uncle's friend got into the driver's seat in their car because Rawls was driving too slowly. The caravan of cars eventually made its way to the parking lot outside the movie theater where an after-party was under way.

Moore said she and Rawls were sitting on the window sill of the car they were in when they heard the first shots fired. The driver started the car, and Moore said she was kicked in the head as they were pulling out past the drop-off area of the movie theater.

Assistant State Attorney Brian Iten asked what she saw once she sat back up.

"I see Teria'le gripping to her chest," Moore said as she let out soft sobs. "She has blood running down out of her nose and mouth."

Moore then detailed she made several attempts to flag down help, including from the other cars with them and an ambulance they spotted.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Terra Carroll asked Moore if she had lost sight of one of the other cars, belonging to her mother.

"I wasn't paying attention to my mother's vehicle because I was paying attention to my sister laying there dead," Moore said sternly.

In other testimony, two teenagers described how they saw Brice and another man shooting guns the night Rawls was killed.

Genae Graham, 19, and Emacia Austin, 18, were in the parking lot of the Royal Palm 20 when the initial shots were fired, they testified.

The teens testified they saw Brice and Jasper "Budda" Dudley, who faces charges identical to Brice's, running from the crowd with their arms extended.

Austin said she saw what looked like fire coming their guns.

Dudley is set to stand trial separately during a two-week trial period beginning April 27.

Brice and Dudley are in custody at the Manatee County jail.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published March 4, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Teria'le Rawls' sister testifies how she watched her sister die moments after Teria'le was shot at Bradenton movie theater."