TAMPA - A 44-year-old day laborer was arrested Friday night on a charge of second-degree murder, authorities said.
Calvin Ford was being held at the Orient Road Jail without bond, records show. Police learned Ford had an outstanding homicide warrant after citing him for an open container violation about 8:30 p.m.
Calvin Ford
Ford had an argument Feb. 11 with Donald R. Kay, 44, who later that day was found dead on the sidewalk of Columbus Plaza, 5016 E. 10th Ave, according to a news media advisory and a criminal report affidavit.
An autopsy showed that Kay died from skull fractures caused by blunt trauma to the head. His body was found lying amid cigarette butts, liquor bottles and beer cans.
During their investigation, Tampa homicide detectives learned Kay had gotten into an argument with Ford about 2 1/2 hours earlier.
Ford and Kay were last seen together about 50 feet from where Kay's body was found, the affidavit said. Ford's fingerprints were also found on two beer cans found at the crime scene, it said.
Witnesses identified Ford from a photo array as the person who was arguing with Kay before he died, the affidavit said.
Police initially charged Ford with holding a 32-ounce open container of beer in a city right of way at 22nd Street N. and Columbus Drive E., records show. They later verified that he had an active warrant for homicide.
Ford was taken to police headquarters and interviewed by detectives before he was charged with second-degree murder. Ford denied knowing or even meeting the victim and denied being anywhere near the strip mall or killing anyone, the affidavit said.
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