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New life is ended by a sword swipe
By ABHI RAGHUNATHAN
Published June 16, 2006
ST. PETERSBURG - The modest apartment next to D Boys Customs was supposed to be the start of a new life for Vickie Walker and her 45-year-old boyfriend, David Golly.
The couple lived in the woods near a Target store until April, when the manager of the auto and stereo shop at 8191 46th Ave. N helped them out. They planned to leave the streets for good, Walker said.
Their dreams fell apart Thursday when, authorities said, a neighbor used a 3-foot sword to kill Golly.
Pinellas County sheriff's deputies arrested Kelsey A. Johnson, 31, on a first-degree murder charge. They are still searching for the sword.
"He didn't deserve to die," said Darren Kegler, 36, the manager of D Boys Customs who offered Walker and Golly a place to live.
"We had plans. We were going to get married," Walker said.
The argument that ended Golly's life began just after 2 a.m., Kegler said. After drinking for hours at Oliver's, a bar, Johnson stumbled home,Kegler said. Johnson was a newcomer to the apartment complex, but already was known for causing trouble, Kegler said. He drank often and recently bought a $30 samurai-style sword.
"We all wondered why he bought a sword," Kegler said.
Golly was kind, Kegler said. He helped Kegler distribute fliers for his store.
Walker said Golly got up around the time Johnson came home. He told her that he wanted to drink the last two beers he had in the refrigerator.
Then he got into an argument with Johnson in the kitchen that both apartments shared, the Sheriff's Office said. Johnson went to his room, got his sword and attacked Golly, authorities said.
Kegler said Golly stumbled to the door dividing the auto shop from the apartments and banged on it for help. He collapsed in a pool of blood.
A witness in the complex called 911.
Johnson left but sheriff's Lt. Michael Ring saw him near a local Dunkin' Donuts. Ring arrested Johnson without incident.
"I was just trying to help the homeless," said Kegler, shaking his head. "Now, he's dead.''
Times researcher Lea Iadarola contributed to this report. Abhi Raghunathan can be reached at araghunathan@sptimes.com or 727 893-8472.
[Last modified June 16, 2006, 06:36:59]
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