Details released in grisly death of South Tampa man

Hours after they stabbed a South Tampa man and left him for dead and after they set his house on fire, the suspects tried to persuade a friend to cash a $9,500 check belonging to the victim at an Amscot in Winter Haven, according to an investigative document released this week.

Across town, two other suspects walked into a cash-for-gold business and sold a wedding ring belonging to the victim, authorities say.

The details of the grisly homicide of 65-year-old Richard Lee Blackman emerged in a search warrant affidavit made available this week.

Investigators have arrested five suspects in the robbery and homicide of Blackman. The linchpin in the case is Rosaley Harris, 19, who was driving the getaway car, the affidavit says. She has not been charged and is cooperating with authorities.

The motive appears to be robbery, though it was unclear from the document if the suspects knew the victim in the Sept. 22 heist and homicide that happened just after midnight. They broke into his home wearing gloves and masks, the affidavit said.

The suspected robbers told Harris to wait for a phone call from them at a convenience store near where the victim lived. She was handed a cell phone by one of the suspects, identified as Chase Morgan, 17, of Winter Haven.

Harris told police that the suspects told her they entered Blackman's 6709 Interbay Blvd. home and attacked him. They stole property, including checks and jewelry, and as they left about an hour later, set the home on fire. They called Harris and told her to pick them up on a side street, the affidavit said.

Moments later, the fire call came in and firefighters found Blackman inside, curled up in a fetal position on the floor. He had been stabbed, the affidavit said, and died a few hours later at Tampa General Hospital.

Later, the gang would divvy up the stolen loot, the affidavit said.

Besides Morgan, also arrested were Kermit Sanford, 34, Winter Haven; Tanner Harrison, 19, Eagle Lake; Tyler Robertson, 19, Auburndale, and Shadow Hill, 20, Lake Wales. Each was charged on a grand jury indictment with first-degree murder, arson of a dwelling, burglary and robbery. All are being held without bail.

Morgan and Hill were positively identified by the clerk at the Quick Cash For Gold in Winter Haven as coming in and selling the jewelry belonging to Blackman. And a friend told police that Harrison asked her to cash a SunTrust bank check for the $9,500.

The warrant was a legal way to seize clothing worn by Robertson that police believe he wore the night of the homicide. Detectives say the clothes may have Blackman's blood on them.