A Germantown man, who police say purposely struck and killed a man with his car on a Clarksburg street, has been held in Montgomery County jail without bond.
Montgomery County District Court Judge John C. Moffett ordered 22-year-old Ryan Anthony Salandy, of Amber Ridge Circle in Germantown held without bond and without prejudice until his preliminary status hearing on Oct. 23. Salandy is accused of running down 21-year-old William D. McDaniel on Friday afternoon in the 23000 block of Sweetspire Drive in Clarksburg. Salandy is charged with first-degree murder and faces life in prison if he is convicted of the murder of William McDaniel.
As the judge made the ruling, many of the more the 20 friends and family of the defendant who were in the courtroom burst into tears. Salandy was not in court, but appeared via video from the Montgomery County Detention Facility in Rockville. Salandy’s attorney Louis F. Gomez, Jr. asked the court for $500,000 bond, to better allow his office to prepare a defense. He pointed out the large number of supporters gathered in the court room and the fact that Salandy did not have any prior criminal citations, beyond two speeding-tickets.
However, the State’s Attorney’s office pointed out that the vehicle, a silver, 2006 Saab was found with significant damage and blood on it. Prosecutors said that Salandy admitted to police that he intentionally struck McDaniel with is vehicle. The State argued that there could be no way that Salandy could not have known that he’d struck someone. Prosecutors argued based on the nature of crime and use of a motor vehicle as a weapon, in broad daylight, on a residential street coupled with the possibility of facing a life-sentence that Salandy might become a flight risk and should be held without bond.
Judge Moffett agreed, and ordered Salandy held without bond, saying that “if the facts of the State’s case are proven. The defendant could become a danger to the community. These are significant charges and facing life in prison might cause anyone to flee the area,” said Judge Moffett. He made the order without prejudice to the case.
Police detectives believe that Salandy and McDaniel were involved in some sort of business transaction and an altercation occurred on Sweetspire Drive on Friday afternoon. Salandy initially drove away from the argument but circled back to Sweetspire Drive. Salandy was observed to strike McDaniel as he walked his dog, flee from the scene. Salandy admitted to police that he intentionally struck McDaniel with his vehicle.
After the bond hearing, Gomez said, Salandy and his family maintain that Ryan Salandy is innocent. “Our office is representing Ryan Salandy,” said Gomez, “and is investigating this case, the State of Maryland vs. Ryan Salandy, to determine what happened. Throughout this
process, he maintains his innocence and looks forward to taking advantage of due process and all the protections that the United States Constriction provides him.” He stood with Salandy’s mother, immediate family, friends and about 12 supporters from the community. “These are people who support him, love him and believe in him.”
“He is an all-around great guy,” said Salandy’s uncle, Pierre Salandy.”He is known to his community as the Christian Rapper. He is pursuing a career in music. Most everything that he’s doing has been incredibility positive throughout his life.” He said that Salandy is also pursuing an online degree with Full Sail University.
Captions:
Top: The scene of the alleged hit-&-run murder at Sweetspire Drive at Little Seneca Parkway in Clarksburg, where police say that Ryan Salandy intentionally ran down William McDaniel with his 2006 silver Saab.
Next: Ryan Anthony Salandy. Photo courtesy MCPD.
Next: Pierre Salandy, the defendant’s uncle, and Louis F. Gomez Jr., attorney for the defendant, along with Salandy’s mother and other family members and friends addressing the media outside of the Maryland District Courthouse in Rockville.
Next: Supporters of Ryan Salandy hold a prayer circle outside of the courthouse after Judge John Moffett ordered the 21-year-old Germantown resident held without bond.
Photos by Germantown Pulse.
