Orlando Man Found Guilty of Manslaughter in 2019 Girlfriend’s Death
A 52-year-old man from Orlando, Florida, has been convicted of manslaughter instead of second-degree murder in connection with the death of his girlfriend in 2019. Ronald Gamble was found guilty by the jury on Thursday for the lesser offense relating to the demise of 52-year-old Rochelle Demmings. The verdict was delivered by Circuit Court Judge Daliah Weiss, who scheduled the sentencing for 1:30 p.m. on November 29th at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in West Palm Beach.
The charge of manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Gamble’s conviction stems from an incident where he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend to such an extent that she died inside her residence at the Grand Isles condominiums on Haverhill Road. Following the incident, Gamble drove to Orlando on December 13, 2019, before returning to South Florida. It was not until three days later that he called 911, according to the police.
Authorities arrested Gamble on May 19, 2020, five months after the incident occurred. He was extradited from the Orange County Jail to the Palm Beach County Jail. During police questioning, Gamble admitted to hitting Demmings during an argument. Detective Darren MacCarthy, according to the report, quoted Gamble saying, “I’m not gonna lie — I hit her.” Gamble further explained that he may have struck her head twice, resulting in injury to his hand due to the force of the blows.
When asked if his actions could have caused Demmings’ death, Gamble claimed it was not his intention to kill her. The investigation revealed that the front door was locked, all of Demmings’ belongings were inside, and there was no evidence of forced entry. Following an autopsy conducted by Dr. Wendolyn Sneed, the chief medical examiner of Palm Beach County, it was determined that Demmings died as a result of blunt force trauma.
Even before the jury began deliberating, Gamble admitted to manslaughter. The case highlights a tragic incident of domestic violence, with the jury ultimately determining that the evidence supported a conviction for the lesser offense of manslaughter. As the sentencing date approaches, legal experts anticipate that the court will consider various factors, including the severity of the assault, the loss suffered by the victim’s family, and Gamble’s criminal history, in determining an appropriate punishment for the defendant.
