Dog Park Test: Day 2 of the testimony on Wednesday

Tampa, fla. – The testimony resumes in a Tampa The Court Chamber on Wednesday at Gerald Declan Radford, accused of attacking and killing another man in a dog park because he was gay.

Radford, who is now 66 years old, is accused of second degree murder and an improvement in hate crime for the February 2024 Death of shots by John Walter Lay.

Photo: Gerald Radford in Court on Tuesday.

Initial Opening and Testimony Declarations

The background history:

Prosecutors say that Radford repeatedly harassed for more than two years, calling him a homophobic insult and making derogatory comments about Lay’s sexual orientation.

On February 1, 2024, Lay recorded a video that said Radford threatened to kill him. The researchers said Lay was shot dead the next day during a fight at the West Dog Park in Northident Street, near Tampa.

Photo: John Walter Lay

What they are saying:

TuesdayProsecutors said that Radford’s story changed many times during detective interviews before arrest. The State also urged the jury to wonder what Radford was thinking when he shot.

“What was in Gerald Radford’s mind when he pressed the trigger and shot John Walter Lay? Was it fear? Was the fear of death or great body damage? Or was it hate?” Fiscal lawyer Justin Díaz said.

Prosecutor Justin Díaz gives opening statements at the Gerald Radford trial.

The defense argued again that Lay was the aggressor, added that they believe that Radford was accused because the investigators gave to public pressure.

“I want you to ask yourself if an innocent man who was forced to defend himself is being ferroviated by the state prosecutor’s office and by the police who folded to public pressure to accuse Declan and make this a hate crime,” lawyer, lawyer Defender Shanna Schultz said.