published: Friday, June 15, 2012
No bond for suspects in Doty murder; more arrests coming
By ED BALDRIDGE
ed.baldridge@newssun.com
SEBRING -- Judge Anthony L. Rittenour Friday morning set no bond for the two suspects arrested in the Aaron Doty murder.
Jonathan Ray Rodriguez, 22, and Kenneth Felipe, 19, both appeared via video in horizontal stripes instead of the traditional orange jumps suits at their first appearance and both were denied bond on the second degree murder charges leveled by State's Attorney Pete Barone.
Barone asked Rittenour to hold the defendants without bond because of their recent attempts to elude law enforcement.
"The issue here is not just the heinous act. They returned to their home after the crime, got some videos and were watching movies when law enforcement knocked on their door. They refused to surrender, and left to another area where state marshals had to retrieve them. They have family in New York, Puerto Rico and other places, the state is requesting no bond," Barone said.
A bond of $100,000 was set for the charge of abuse of a dead body and bond of $100,000 was set for tampering with evidence for both defendants.
Rittenour explained the other bond amounts were set in case a future judge made a different ruling on the murder charges.
Highlands County Sheriff Susan Benton announced Friday morning that more arrests were coming in the case.
“I am aware of at least two imminent arrests coming, and I am sure there will be some more,” Benton said after the first appearance.
“Whether they were the ones who went with them to the gas station or helped them destroy their clothes or drove them to Orlando, there will be more charges,” Benton said.
“Just because we have caught the alleged bad guys, these guys have not stopped working. They are working 24-7,” she added about her department.