PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG\/WECP) – Ross Johnson has been found not guilty on all counts regarding the 2023 death of Tyndall airman Dayvon Larry.<\/p>\n
Johnson was facing manslaughter and aggravated battery charges tied to an altercation at Coyote Ugly Saloon in Panama City Beach in 2023.<\/p>\n
Ross Johnson was facing felony charges for manslaughter and aggravated battery. After hearing the jury\u2019s verdict of not guilty, Johnson immediately hugged his mom.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Johnson took to the stand defending his actions at the Coyote Ugly Saloon in Panama City Beach in 2023. <\/p>\n
\u201cI saw two people putting hands on John Chester and he was lying in the fetal position on the ground defenseless,\u201d Johnson said on the stand.<\/p>\n
A bar fight that started inside Coyote Ugly between the friends of Johnson and the victim eventually moved outside. Video shows Johnson and Tyndall Airman Dayvon Larry running toward the fight. That\u2019s when the prosecution said Johnson hit Larry in the back of the head knocking him to the ground. <\/p>\n
\u201cA trained MMA fighter for three years but you chose not to do any of those things isn\u2019t that true?\u201d The prosecution asked Johnson. \u201cI did what I needed to do to protect my friend,\u201d Johnson responded.<\/p>\n
The Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jay Radtke testified Larry encountered a fatal blow. <\/p>\n
Prosecution: \u201cHow did Dayvon Larry die?\u201d<\/p>\n
Radtke: \u201cA blood head injury.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prosecution: \u201cAnd this was his cause of death?\u201d<\/p>\n
Radtke: \u201cYes, that\u2019s correct.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prosecution: \u201cAnd what was his manner of death?\u201d<\/p>\n
Radtke: \u201cHomicide.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson\u2019s Attorney Robert Malove claims Johnson was defending his friend. <\/p>\n
\u201cRoss Johnson and Dayvon Larry are protectors, they\u2019re both protectors,\u201d Malove said in his closing argument. \u201cThey\u2019re both their brother\u2019s keepers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ultimately the jury decided Johnson is not guilty. Larry\u2019s family members told NewsChannel7 they have no words after waiting three years for the trial.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it\u2019s just sad and we miss him and we love him so much, it\u2019s indescribable,\u201d said Larry\u2019s older sister Shanna Larry.<\/p>\n
Both Larry\u2019s sister and nephew, Joshua Hemphill said he inspired them.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did a lot in his life; he graduated got a degree became a pharmacist and then decided that wasn\u2019t for him,\u201d Hemphill said. \u201cHe changed his entire life on the whim because he wanted to help the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shanna said all they can do is trust in the Lord.<\/p>\n
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