'Person of interest' in slaying released

The Beaver County man called "a person of interest" in the slaying of a millionaire physician from Mercer County was released from jail Tuesday.

Damian Ray Bradford, 24, of Center, was paroled by Beaver County Common Pleas Judge John D. McBride after spending six months in jail on unrelated charges of steroid possession. The parole was not opposed by prosecutors.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has labeled Bradford "a person of interest" in the May 13 killing of Dr. Gulam Moonda, 69, of Hermitage, who was shot to death on the turnpike near Cleveland. No one has been charged with the murder.

Bradford was arrested when police found three vials of anabolic steroids in his apartment while searching for evidence in the Moonda slaying.

Informants have told authorities that Bradford began a relationship with Moonda's wife, Donna, 46, after the two met in a Beaver County drug rehabilitation clinic.

Bradford was sentenced to six to12 months in jail on the steroid possession charges and six to 23 1/2 months in jail for violating terms of his probation for unrelated weapons charges filed in Aliquippa in 2001.

He became eligible for parole Monday, and a brief hearing was held yesterday before McBride.

"(Bradford) is a good kid," said defense attorney James M. Ecker, of Pittsburgh, adding that his client has a job waiting for him and will work daily to counsel young people about the dangers of drug addiction.

Jamie Dalton, a spokeswoman for Cuyahoga County, Ohio, prosecutor Bill Mason, said the investigation into Moonda's death is continuing.

"Damian Bradford is still a person of interest to us," she said.

As soon as McBride granted the parole, Bradford turned to his mother and said, "Happy birthday, Mom."

Sharon Bradford, who turned 51 Saturday, said: "This is my birthday gift. My son is out of jail."