New investigator will find Junior Kelly’s murderer

By Carrie A. Mizell

While working as an investigator for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for 33 years, Bill Davis worked many murder cases, including that of high profile serial killers, Danny Rolling and Ted Bundy.
Earlier this year, Davis began working part time at the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office with the sole purpose of finding the person or persons responsible for the brutal murder of local farmer, A.M. “Junior” Kelly, Jr.
A victim of numerous home and property invasions, Kelly, 78, told local law enforcement officers that he feared for his own safety prior to his murder in November 2008. Kelly’s body was found inside the bedroom of his home on County Road 341, northwest of Bell by a close friend.
I am optimistic that we will solve this case,” Davis said in an interview last week. “I think the evidence we have is going to be a big indicator.”
During his tenure with FDLE, the Gainesville native said he worked all over the state and even worked as a special operations commander for 13 years.
“I have worked many cold cases and I can tell you this case [Kelly’s] is still very active,” Davis said. “In a community this size, and as well liked as Mr. Kelly is there is a fear factor here that the murderer is still out there. What people need to know is we are actively working this case and the best thing for anyone to do is come forward and help us if they have any information.”
At the time of Kelly’s murder, David Turner was sheriff.
As Davis pointed out, since 2008 there have been a number of changes in administration on the local level, as well as at FDLE. Not only has the sheriff changed since 2008, but investigators working on the case have also changed.
Davis said that solving Junior Kelly’s murder is Sheriff Daniel Slaughter’s number one priority.
The investigator feels confident that some of the evidence taken from Kelly’s home the day after his murder will prove to be more valuable than investigators working the case in 2008 may have known.
“I plan to go back and re-interview people,” Davis said. “Sometimes time helps people’s memory and I think we just need to go back and ask the right questions.”
Davis said that it may be that the case is not solved right away, because he plans to pick up the investigation and start back at step one.
“I know this case is paramount in everyone’s mind,” Davis said. “I can tell you that people will be tired of hearing about this by the time it’s all over with.”
Anyone with any information on the murder of Junior Kelly is asked to call the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office at 463-3410 and ask to speak with Lt. David Aderholt, who will then get in touch with Investigator Bill Davis.