The firearm used during this incident was found to be the same firearm used in a homicide. The jury in that case found him not guilty, Hillsborough deputies say.

BRANDON – A Brandon man has been charged in connection with the Sept. 16 shooting death of a woman at a Clara Drive home, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Ralph Lewis Wald, 77, was charged with one count of Manslaughter with a Weapon in connection with the woman’s death. The woman’s name was not released.

Deputies said Wald called 911 on Sept. 16 and said something was wrong with a woman inside the home and he did not know if she was breathing. Deputies arrived at the home on Clara Drive and found the victim deceased on the couch in the living room.

The MEO investigator arrived, moved the victim to the floor and saw a gunshot wound to her chest. No gun was found in the living room. Deputies secured the scene and detectives responded and wrote a search warrant for the residence.

Deputies found a .38 caliber revolver in a gun box in the nightstand in Wald’s bedroom. The firearm had one spent casing within the cylinder in line with the barrel.

The firearm used during this incident was found to be the same firearm used in a homicide that happened March 24, 2013. In that case, Wald was charged with Second Degree Murder after he confessed to shooting a man while the man was engaged in sex with his wife. A jury found Wald not guilty.

The investigation and forensic evidence revealed the woman who died Sept. 16 had been shot by Wald. Deputies said the firearm used during this incident was found to be the same firearm used in 2013 homicide. The gun still showed the FDLE markings.

This case was presented to the State Attorney’s Office in December. On Friday (Jan. 17),  after consultation with the SAO, Wald was charged.

Hillsborough Sheriff | Crime | Manslaughter | Arrests | Tampabay News | News Tampa

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