For the first time in four years, Angel Ross will not spend March 9 in Athens.
Instead, she will spend the anniversary of the 2003 murder of her fianc+
total faith (in APD) Angel said. I don't know where to go now.
Angel, who lives in Mansfield, said it breaks her heart that her daughter Tearia, who looks much like Ross, sees her father only in pictures. Angel said Tearia has asked if she can call heaven to talk to Ross.
Ross, who was 23 at the time of his murder, was shot as he sat in the driver's seat of a sedan in the University Commons parking lot.
Withers said the department has been investigating a suspect but no arrest has been made. No major developments in the case have occurred since 2003.
Withers said APD still is working with county Prosecutor C. David Warren to collect evidence for a successful conviction in Ross' case.
As we talk right now it's being worked on
he said. It will never be closed.
Athens resident Brad McLain was being monitored by police in the months following the murder because Ross' cell phone listed McLain's number as the last called before the murder, according to reports from a related 2005 appellate court trial in which McLain was not the focus. Taped conversations revealed that McLain was involved in drug trafficking
the report stated.
Angel said she thinks APD is less concerned with Ross' case because he was a black man with a history of occasional, recreational drug use.
To me
it seems so cut and dry
Angel said. They know who did it. They know why. They're just not connecting the dots or don't want to connect the dots.
APD has investigated three homicides in the past 20 years, Withers said. In 1993, APD successfully convicted a murder suspect; another homicide investigation was terminated when the prosecutor decided the incident was an accident, he said.
APD is not concerned that the graduation of the remaining OU students who were here when the murder took place will hinder the investigation, Withers said.
It might be a blessing that once they are out of this area
they might call with information
he said.
Although she has moved away from Athens, Angel continues to advocate for the arrest of Ross' murderer.
Even though I'm not going to be down in Athens physically
I just want the people
the students
