Lakeland Man Charged with Manslaughter for Death of Girlfriend

Tony Renard McNeal was arrested in Lakeland this week and charged with manslaughter in connection with the August death of his live-in girlfriend, Arlene Arocho. Arocho was found deceased in the apartment she shared with McNeal on August 14, 2010.

McNeal reportedly ran to the apartment complex office that morning and told employees there that Arocho was in bed and unresponsive. Office personnel called 911. When emergency personnel responded, Arocho was pronounced dead at the scene.

After an autopsy and other testing, the medical examiner allegedly determined that Arocho bled to death as a result of a stab wound.

Police have reported that witnesses told them that the couple had been involved in an argument earlier that day. Police said they did not know what the argument was about but there had been reports of past domestic violence issues between the couple as well.

McNeal has been charged with Manslaughter with a Weapon and Tampering with Physical Evidence. He has reportedly denied stabbing Arocho.

The manslaughter charge is interesting. It indicates that prosecutors do not have evidence that would prove an intent to harm or kill Arocho (requirements for a murder charge). To prove that McNeal committed manslaughter, prosecutors must show that Arocho was killed as a result his culpable negligence.

More than mere negligence, culpable negligence is conduct which shows a gross and careless disregard for the safety and welfare of another person. The negligence must be flagrant. If convicted, McNeal faces up to 15 years in prison on the manslaughter charge.

The tampering with evidence charge stems from an accusation that McNeal tried to clean up areas of the crime scene before detectives had a chance to analyze it thoroughly, according to authorities. McNeal faces up to five years in prison if convicted of the tampering charge.