Third man is charged in Ybor City slaying

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
Published December 5, 2007

TAMPA - A third suspect has been arrested in connection with the stabbing death of 43-year-old Kenny Love Washington, whose body was discovered in an Ybor City building Oct. 12.

Lamar Coffey, 24, was booked in Hillsborough County on Monday after being held at a Charleston, S.C., detention center on first-degree murder and robbery charges. Police have been looking for Coffey since arresting Devon Lavelle Batiste, 26, who was charged with first-degee murder and robbery Oct. 24.

Another suspect, 20-year-old Rahim Alirabah Ra was arrested on grand theft and other charges one week after Washington's death, and has also been charged with first-degree murder and robbery in connection to the case. Tampa police Cpl. Jared Douds could not elaborate on the connection.

"It's still an open case, so that's all the information I have at this time," Douds said.

All three were held without bail.

Washington, who came to Tampa after spending time in prison, was supposed to start a new job the day he was found dead, according to friends. He and Coffey had been roommates in the empty storefront at 3004 N 22nd St. before he was killed.

[Last modified December 5, 2007, 00:49:25]