Arrest made in Leesburg death; police linked suspect by examining video surveillance
LEESBURG — Police have arrested and charged a 40-year-old man with first-degree murder in the slaying of Melissa K. Smith in her home on Aug. 8.
Officers arrested Alphonza Bryant on an unrelated charge on Aug. 10. He was held without bail on a charge of violating probation on a misdemeanor battery charge.
Meanwhile, detectives were getting tips and gathering other evidence.
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“We were able to trace his movements through multiple video systems,” said Capt. Joe Iozzi.
“It’s a new assist,” he said of surveillance systems.
"The first thing we do is check for videos,” he said.
Iozzi was not clear about the relationship between the two people, but said they were certainly acquaintances.
The 37-year-old woman's body was discovered on the floor in an attached laundry room about 2:30 a.m. by a friend who went to her home in the 1200 block of Penn Street.
Officers served an arrest warrant Tuesday morning at the Lake County jail, charging Bryant with premeditated homicide, armed burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“Detectives continue to obtain evidence in the case, and there are no other suspects being considered at this time,” according to a department press release.
“We hope these charges allow for some level of healing and relief for the family and friends of Ms. Smith,” the release stated. “We would especially like to thank our community for their assistance with this investigation.”
The battery charge stems from a reported incident in April. The arrest affidavit is heavily redacted, but it says that Bryant and a woman began arguing when he left the home on April 10 and did not return until the next day.
“The victim did not allow the defendant to enter the house, which led to the defendant breaking the house’s rear door and entering,” the affidavit says.
He reportedly began grabbing some of his belongings and picking up a child. The woman, whose name was redacted, snatched the child and told him to leave.
"The victim then raised his closed fist and began jumping at the victim several times as if he was going to punch her,” the affidavit says.
A witness told police that he pushed her in the face with his fist.
He pleaded no contest and was given 12 months’ probation.
He was charged with violating his probation when he failed to pay fines and he made contact with the victim on Aug. 9, according to court records. He contacted her three times prior that, in May, June and July.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a 2001 robbery, according to court records.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Man in Leesburg, Florida charged with murder in Aug. 8 killing
