Gunman Who Killed Homosexual Man At Dog Park Is Charged With Murder After Delay In Arrest

A Florida man has been charged with homicide in reference to the deadly taking pictures of a homosexual man at a Tampa canine park on Feb. 2, and prosecutors say the sufferer was focused due to his sexual orientation, the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office introduced Friday.

Gerald Declan Radford, 65, of Tampa, was arrested Friday and charged with second-degree murder in the death of John Walter Lay, 52. The day earlier than he was killed, Lay despatched a video to his pals saying {that a} man he known as “Dec” had been threatening him, in keeping with a information launch shared with HuffPost by the State Attorney’s Office. Investigators mentioned they imagine he was referring to Radford.

The arrest got here 5 weeks after the taking pictures as a result of investigators had been gathering proof that in the end solid doubt on Radford’s declare on the scene that he had acted in self-defense, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. 

Prosecutors mentioned that they are going to search harder sentencing tips below the state’s hate crime legal guidelines. 

The investigation into Lay’s dying started after authorities had been known as to the West Dog Park in Hillsborough County simply earlier than 8 a.m. on Feb. 2, in keeping with a information launch by the sheriff’s workplace. 

According to the sheriff’s launch, authorities found Lay on the scene with a gunshot wound. Deputies tried to carry out “life-saving measures,” however Lay was pronounced useless at a hospital. 

During the preliminary investigation, Radford allegedly advised responding investigators that he and Lay had been in a “scuffle” and that he shot Lay in self-defense. 

Radford also told The Tampa Bay Times that he acted in self-defense. “I was attacked. I defended myself. End of story,” he advised a reporter.

According to the prosecutors’ information launch, a number of neighborhood members contacted investigators within the days and weeks after the taking pictures to report that Radford had used “bigoted slurs” towards Lay and talked about eager to hurt him on the canine park. 

“The defendant alleged self-defense, but following a thorough investigation, the evidence shows Radford was the aggressor and was motivated by the fact that the victim was a gay man,” the information launch mentioned.

Detectives mentioned they discovered Lay had created a recording of himself the day earlier than the taking pictures during which he advised pals that “Dec” had threatened him by screaming “You’re gonna die” repeatedly.

Weeks glided by as neighborhood members and Lay’s pals grew involved that the person who killed Lay was free. Prosecutors responded by noting the difficulties of refuting a “stand your ground” declare of self-defense.

The controversial self-defense law grew to become a nationwide challenge in 2012 when 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was fatally shot in Sanford, Florida, by a self-described neighborhood watchman who was later acquitted. Since then, almost 40 states have enacted their very own model of the legislation, which permits gun homeowners to make use of lethal pressure in the event that they really feel their life or security is threatened. 

A examine from the JAMA network in 2022 discovered that stand-your-ground legal guidelines had been “associated with an 8% to 11% national increase in monthly rates of homicide and firearm homicide.”

“Throughout the course of this investigation, community members stepped forward with important information about ongoing tensions that helped add context to the incident,” the assertion mentioned. “Combined with video recordings created by the victim before he was killed, investigators were able to build a strong case to bring to our office for prosecution.” 

In the assertion, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister mentioned “it was clear” that Radford “acted from hatred within his heart.”

“A hatred that will not be tolerated within our strong and diverse community,” Chronister mentioned.

In the prosecutors’ information launch, State Attorney Suzy Lopez mentioned, “We should all be able to enjoy a day at the dog park without the fear of gunfire.” 

Lay “deserved to live free from fear and discrimination based on his sexual orientation,” Lopez mentioned. “The evidence shows the defendant’s actions were motivated by hate, and he will be held accountable. My heart is with the victim’s family and large group of friends as we fight for justice together.”