SIX IN GREENACRES. RACHEL PERRY, WPBF 25 NEWS. AND COVERING THE TREASURE COAST. THE MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAID TUESDAY THAT TWO MEN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO A HOMICIDE. WE GO NOW TO OUR TREASURE COAST BUREAU REPORTER ANGELA ROZIER FOR MORE. A FATHER AND HIS TEENAGE SON ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO A MARTIN COUNTY HOMICIDE REMAIN BEHIND BARS TONIGHT. RICHARD NEELY AND HIS 16 YEAR OLD SON WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY TUESDAY. NOW, ACCORDING TO THE MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, THE TWO ARE ACCUSED OF KILLING 41 YEAR OLD LEO FLORESTA BACK IN MARCH. DEPUTIES PULLED THE PORT SAINT LUCIE MAN’S BODY FROM A SHALLOW POND NEAR COVE ROAD AND WILLOUGHBY BOULEVARD. DNA TESTING CONFIRMED HIS IDENTITY. ACCORDING TO DETECTIVES, THE VICTIM WAS AN ACQUAINTANCE OF NEELY AND HIS SON. THEY SAY THE SON HELPED HIS FATHER DUMP THE BODY IN THE POND, WHERE IT REMAINED FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE BEING DISCOVERED. NOW, ACCORDING TO THE VICTIM’S FAMILY, WHEN HE MADE A PHONE CONVERSATION, IT BEGAN WITH YO, AND IT ENDED WITH I LOVE YOU TONIGHT. OFFICIALS SAY THE SUSPECTS IN THE CASE REMAIN BEHIND BARS WITH
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Additional details released in Martin County murder case connected to father and his teenage son
A father and son are arrested in connection to a homicide in Martin County as new details are released about the case.The Martin County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that Richard Elijah Neely, 54, was charged with murder while Dustin Wayne Neely, 16, was charged with accessory after the fact.According to the report Randall Todd, 40, was also at the scene of the crime. Todd faces a charge of accessory after the fact.According to a probable cause affidavit, Richard Neely stabbed the victim Leodere Verdisca in the chest while he was at Neely's residence.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsThe report also states, Richard Neely, his son and Todd tied dumbbell-styled weights to the body while it was still inside Richard Neely's residence.The body was then placed inside a wheelbarrow, and then placed inside the trunk of a red Pontiac convertible. The suspects then drove to a pond and disposed of the body.The report also states Neely's son was "messed up" due to the incident.In March, the body of Leodere Verdisca was found in a natural preserve area along SE Willoughby Boulevard and SE Cove Road.The sheriff's office said Verdisca was an acquaintance of the father and son and believe the killing stems from money that the victim owed Richard Neely. Richard is accused of stabbing and killing Verdisca, while Dustin Neely is accused of helping his father dispose of the body in the pond, where it remained for several days before it was discovered.Top headlines:Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. —
A father and son are arrested in connection to a homicide in Martin County as new details are released about the case.
The Martin County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that Richard Elijah Neely, 54, was charged with murder while Dustin Wayne Neely, 16, was charged with accessory after the fact.
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According to the report Randall Todd, 40, was also at the scene of the crime. Todd faces a charge of accessory after the fact.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Richard Neely stabbed the victim Leodere Verdisca in the chest while he was at Neely's residence.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
The report also states, Richard Neely, his son and Todd tied dumbbell-styled weights to the body while it was still inside Richard Neely's residence.
The body was then placed inside a wheelbarrow, and then placed inside the trunk of a red Pontiac convertible. The suspects then drove to a pond and disposed of the body.
The report also states Neely's son was "messed up" due to the incident.
In March, the body of Leodere Verdisca was found in a natural preserve area along SE Willoughby Boulevard and SE Cove Road.
The sheriff's office said Verdisca was an acquaintance of the father and son and believe the killing stems from money that the victim owed Richard Neely. Richard is accused of stabbing and killing Verdisca, while Dustin Neely is accused of helping his father dispose of the body in the pond, where it remained for several days before it was discovered.
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