Canine park taking pictures: Homicide trial begins with opening statements Tuesday

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The trial of a person accused of concentrating on and killing one other man at a canine park as a result of he was homosexual begins in a Tampa courtroom on Tuesday.

Gerald Radford, who’s now 66, is charged with second-degree homicide and a hate crime enhancement for the Feb. 2024 taking pictures dying of John Walter Lay.

Taking pictures dying of John Walter Lay

The backstory:

Prosecutors say Radford shot and killed Lay, who was 52, on Feb. 2, 2024, throughout a battle on the West Canine Park off North Occident Avenue close to Tampa.

Pictured: John Walter Lay

Based on the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Workplace, Radford repeatedly harassed Lay for greater than two years, calling him a homophobic slur and making derogatory remarks about Lay’s sexual orientation.

Radford, nevertheless, has maintained his declare that Lay was the aggressor, citing textual content messages despatched previous to the taking pictures. A choose rejected his “stand your floor” movement in December.

Pictured: Gerald Radford in court on Tuesday.

Pictured: Gerald Radford in courtroom on Tuesday.

Final week, Radford rejected a plea deal that will have given him a 15-year jail sentence adopted by 10 years probation for the lesser cost of manslaughter.

Radford faces 25 years to life in jail if convicted of second-degree homicide.

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What’s subsequent:

The trial is predicted to final a couple of week.

The Supply: This story was written utilizing data from Hillsborough County courtroom data and former FOX 13 Information stories.

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