An Ocala man who was facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the November 2022 death of another man, has been released from prison after prosecutors dropped all charges against him because a witness substantially changed their testimony.
On Monday, the State Attorney’s Office for the Fifth Judicial Circuit filed an announcement of “nolle prosequi,” meaning that the prosecution has formally abandoned the case against 45-year-old Brian Keron Welcome. He had been arrested in February of 2023, months after the deceased body of 41-year-old Eric Daugherty was found inside a Dunnellon residence.
Back on November 28, 2022, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a home located on Walnut Street in Dunnellon at the request of the local police department to assist with a homicide investigation.
When deputies arrived at the incident location, they entered the residence and observed the victim, Daugherty, in the living room. He had sustained a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
During an ensuing investigation, MCSO learned that Welcome, who was known by the nickname “Rockafeller,” had been present at the residence at the time of the shooting.
The arrest report stated that a total of two 9mm shell casings were recovered inside the residence, which was consistent with the victim being shot twice while on a couch in the living room. The victim’s cause of death was listed as “gunshot wounds of the abdomen.”
Several eyewitnesses told MCSO investigators that Welcome was seated at a table in the living room prior to the shooting, and the victim was asleep on a nearby couch. According to those eyewitnesses, Welcome stood up, pointed a firearm at the victim without provocation, and fatally shot him.
One of the eyewitnesses described the homicide as “cold-blooded,” according to MCSO.
A criminal background check of Welcome revealed that he has numerous prior felony charges with more than 20 felony convictions, including convictions for false imprisonment and aggravated assault.
On February 9, 2023, Welcome was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail on the following charges: second-degree murder without premeditation and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon. He remained in custody at the jail until his release at 1:49 p.m. on April 21, 2025.
According to Marion County Court records, prosecutors ultimately decided to drop all charges against Welcome after a statement from one of the key witnesses “changed substantially.” Without that testimony, prosecutors felt that they would be unable to prove the elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.