Detectives on Sept. 23 made a murder arrest in a 2005 death that was originally reported as a result of a bicycle crash, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
Deputies led Jason Gailey, 33, away from OCSO headquarters in handcuffs Monday evening, after arresting him on a second-degree-murder warrant signed earlier in the day.
The victim, Ronald Johnson, suffered head injuries on Raeford Road in the Conway area June 27, 2005, and died days later on July 6, 2005.
According to homicide Sgt. Mike Ruggiero, the incident was initially described by witnesses as a bicycle accident:
"Witnesses weren't completely cooperative with the investigation, and therefore it was sort of closed, for lack of a better term," he told reporters Monday night.
However, the case was reopened when Johnson's family alerted deputies to information they'd gathered in their neighborhood which indicated the death wasn't an accident.
Detectives re-interviewed witnesses, Ruggiero said, determining that Johnson's injuries were caused by Gailey striking him, likely with the butt of a gun.
Johnson had interceded in a fight involving Gailey, Ruggiero said, adding that detectives believe witnesses weren't initially forthcoming because they were afraid of Gailey.
"They were intimidated. He was known to carry a firearm and they didn't feel completely safe in coming forward and being forthcoming with the truth" Ruggiero said.
He praised Johnson's family for doggedly pursuing information that led to the arrest: "They were tenacious, they would not rest."
Copyright 2013 - Orlando Sentinel
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
