The Latest: Sheriff says he’s pleased over murder charge

GRETNA, La. – The Latest on the indictment in Joe McKnight shooting case (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand says he’s pleased that a grand jury has brought a murder charge against the man accused of killing former NFL player Joe McKnight.

The sheriff refused to discuss what evidence might have brought the jury to increase the charge against 55-year-old Ronald Gasser from the manslaughter charge he was arrested on in December.

Asked whether it indicated that Gasser was the aggressor, Normand said he would not read anything into the charge except that the Dec. 1 shooting meets the requirements for second-degree murder.

He did not say what requirements it met. However, the charge can be brought if a grand jury believes someone meant to kill or cause great bodily harm.

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2:30 p.m.

A New Orleans-area prosecutor says a grand jury has indicted the Louisiana man accused of killing former NFL running back Joe McKnight during a road rage dispute.

Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick says 55-year-old Ronald Gasser of Terrytown is charged with second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence if he’s convicted.

Connick says that as a result of the indictment, Judge June Darensburg increased Gasser’s bond from $500,000 to $750,000.

Authorities have said both McKnight and Gasser were driving erratically and yelling at each other before they stopped and McKnight walked to Gasser’s vehicle. They said when the 28-year-old McKnight confronted Gasser, who was still seated in his car, Gasser pulled out a gun and shot McKnight three times.