Murder victim's daughter has message before killer sent to prison: 'Now, nothing seems OK'
TAVARES — Scott C. Rudolph, 63, was sentenced to 40 years in prison Thursday for killing his neighbor at Holiday RV Park in Leesburg on Oct. 23, 2020.
Alice Stewart called 911 to report that her husband, Jerry, 61, had been shot at their home at 28229 County Road 33, Lot 20.
Thursday’s proceeding before Circuit Judge Heidi Davis included Assistant Nick Camuccio reading a victim impact statement from Stewart’s daughter, Samantha.
The original story: Leesburg man accused of killing RV park neighbor
Additional information: More details provided in Friday night shooting death at Leesburg RV Park
Suspect in custody: Arrest made in Leesburg death; police linked suspect by examining video surveillance
“It has taught me the true meaning of loss and such a deep pain that it physically hurts,” the statement said, in part. “Literally, my chest will tighten and feel like someone has piled a ton of bricks on it.
"My dad was the person I went to for everything. Whenever I had a problem, that in my mind was the end of the world, I would call him, freaking out. Every time, he would say, ‘Calm down, breathe. Everything is going to be OK, kid.’ And with that one statement, I knew it would be.
"Now, nothing seems OK. I have lost the person that gave that reassurance and sense of security. Fear and anxiety has taken its place.”
Here's what happened on Oct. 23, 2020
Stewart was found lying near the front door of his home with a gunshot wound to the head. There was broken glass on the front step and glass from the door of the enclosed porch.
Deputies immediately began knocking on neighbors’ doors to find out what happened. Alice Stewart suggested they go next door to Rudolph’s home, on Lot 21, according to the arrest affidavit.
They found Rudolph sitting in a chair on his porch with an AR-15 type rifle leaning up against the wall, and the murder weapon – a black, semi-automatic handgun – lying on the floor between his feet near glass shards.
“Wow, there is a lot of you guys here,” Rudolph told deputies.
“Rudolph appeared to be intoxicated and eventually confessed to killing Stewart,” a sheriff’s press release at the time stated.
He was so intoxicated, apparently, the detectives reading him his rights were confused by his response.
Stewart said her husband had been arguing with Rudolph during the week, but that her husband went over and apologized.
The sheriff’s office said the Stewarts had just moved into the park three weeks ago.
Rudolph was charged with first-degree, premeditated murder, but pleaded to second-degree murder. The charge carries a minimum 25-year prison sentence. The sentence for first-degree premeditated murder is life without parole.
Rudolph declined to make a statement or apologize to the family.
Samantha sobbed outside the courtroom after the hearing. His widow declined to make a statement. Thursday would have marked their 39th anniversary.
When he was arrested, Rudolph said, “…you work your whole life, and some guy walks up and says they’re going to kill you? I’m guilty of murder. I killed him. But why did he do that? You know? It’s indescribable. You know?”
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Leesburg, Florida man gets 40-year prison term for killing neighbor
