Man charged with manslaughter in McKnight case

Gasser, 54, was released by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office last week without being charged pending further investigation, a decision that sparked demonstrations and outrage on social media. At that point, Gasser fired three shots. Stampeders defensive back Mylan Hicks was killed outside a Calgary nightclub in September. His NFL career got off to a shaky start but he started the regular-season finale, rushing for 158 yards on 32 carries.Jeremy Combs, one of Mr. McKnight’s former teammates, expressed his confusion and anger on Twitter saying “this is a joke”.McKnight was released by the Jets in August 2013, the biggest surprise of the team’s final cuts before the regular season.

McKnight was drafted in the 4th round of the 2010 NFL Draft (112th overall) by the New York Jets.

EVE TROEH, BYLINE: Well, this happened on Thursday afternoon at a busy intersection in the suburbs of New Orleans right next door in Jefferson Parish, so broad daylight, lots of people around.

Fifty-four-year-old Ronald Gasser, charged with murdering former National Football League and CFL running back Joe McKnight, will not be facing charges in the sports star’s death, and has been released from jail.

According to Normand, Gasser’s auto was boxed in at the intersection of Behrman Highway and Holmes Boulevard, where the shooting happened. One woman held a sign saying “This is murder”. “The question is, ‘Is it justified or not?'” he said.

When deputies arrived, the sheriff said Gasser handed them his gun and confessed to killing McKnight. McKnight was struck with bullets in his right shoulder, left hand, and chest.

Off the unexpected tirade, Normand did reveal that Gasser pointed his gun at a naval officer after firing at McKnight three times.

“Stand your ground” laws give people wide latitude to use deadly force when they believe they are in danger. “What we had were two adult males engaged in unacceptable behavior who did not know how to deal in conflict resolution”.

Short, 73, said that Gasser’s father was “wonderful” and “the love of my life”.

McKnight’s grandmother said family members are still seeking information about the player’s death and why Gasser was released. After doing so, the victim reported Gasser drove out of the service station, at which time he called 911.

“Investigators at a later date located Mr. Gasser, at which time he was issued a misdemeanor summons for simple battery”.

Normand said he is trying to be as transparent as possible but also needs to balance that against the “sanctity of (the) investigation”.

The case is “still maturing”, the sheriff said, and it’s possible evidence could surface that would prompt investigators to elevate or downgrade the charges against Gasser. The trial for Smith’s accused killer begins today. McKnight leaves behind two siblings, his mother and stepfather, as well as a son. “He could have defused the situation by driving away”, Holmes said.

Normand said in a press release late Friday that in February 2006, Gasser chased down and beat another driver in what appeared to be the same intersection where McKnight was shot and killed Thursday.

The reaction from Normand suggests that neither he nor his department are fit to run the investigation or handle the case.