[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 10/24/20]
LEESBURG, Florida — A Leesburg man was murdered at his home Friday night by his next-door neighbor just three weeks after moving into the neighborhood, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell said in a press release Saturday.
LCSO deputies responded to Holiday RV Village, 28229 County Road 33 in unincorporated Leesburg in reference to a shooting and found Jerry Michael Stewart, 61, dead at his home located on Lot 20 in the mobile home park. Stewart, who just moved to the park with his wife three weeks ago, was found in the enclosed front porch of his mobile home, the release states.
Deputies canvassed the neighborhood, and next door at Lot 21, found Scott Curtiss Rudolph, 61, sitting on his front porch with a handgun at his feet and another firearm nearby, Herrell said in the release.
Rudolph, who appeared to be intoxicated, eventually confessed to killing his neighbor, according to Herrell. Stewart’s wife told deputies Rudolph and her husband had been in an altercation earlier in the week, but her husband had apologized a few days ago. It is unclear what the argument was about, Herrell said.
Rudolph was arrested for first degree murder and transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on no bond.
_______________________________
Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
