Grand jury indicts Ronald Gasser with 2nd-degree murder of Joseph McKnight

Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul D. Connick, Jr. announced today that the grand jury has returned an indictment against Ronald Gasser, Jr.

Gasser, 55, was indicted for the second-degree murder of Joseph N. McKnight, Jr., on Dec. 1, 2016. Based upon the evidence available at the time, Gasser was arrested on Dec. 5, 2016 for the crime of manslaughter. Subsequent to that arrest, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office continued working together in a collaborative effort to develop additional evidence regarding the case. Today’s indictment comes as a result of that joint effort.

If convicted as charged, Gasser would face a sentence of life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

As a result of the indictment, Gasser’s bond was increased to $750,000 by Judge June Darensburg of the 24th Judicial District Court.

In keeping with office policy, there will be no further comment by this office.

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