Police Clear 'Persons Of Interest' In Slaying

Police have absolved two former "persons of interest" of any involvement with the murder of a local property appraiser.

But D'Edward Webster and Herman Johnson are still not in the clear.

On Jan. 20, Steven Van Slyke was found dead in his Cherry Street home. By 10 p.m. the next night, police had arrested a homeless man named Monty Albright on suspicion of first-degree murder.

Albright, 35, reportedly admitted to overpowering Van Slyke on Jan. 19, tying him up, and stealing his bank card. He stole Van Slyke's car and drove it to a bank, where he removed the maximum amount from his account, according to Police Chief George Turner.

Albright returned to Van Slyke's house and strangled him with a "ligature," a report states.

Webster, 22, and Johnson, 30, both of Brooksville, enter the picture because they gave Albright a ride that night and helped him purchase thousands of dollars in jewelry with the card. That jewelry was promptly returned for cash and used to buy crack cocaine, according to Turner.

"They knew the card was stolen," the police chief said, but they denied any knowledge of the murder.

Police say the pair have been cooperative in the investigation and will not press any further charges against them in this case. Turner did not rule out the possibility that the State Attorney's Office would hold them accountable for their actions, however.

It will also be up to prosecutors and the grand jury to press further charges against Albright, Turner said.

Webster still has to answer to a warrant for violation of probation. Johnson is under investigation for reportedly leaving the scene of an accident.

Friends have described Van Slyke, 58, as kind and warm-hearted. That characterization seems to fit what investigators have discovered about the relationship between Van Slyke and Albright.

It's now believed that Van Slyke met Albright about three weeks ago and gave him odd jobs to do around the house.

"It seems (Van Slyke) had no issue with helping people," Turner said.