VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The father of an accused murderer will appear before a Volusia County judge on Tuesday on allegations that he destroyed key evidence of his son’s involvement in a double murder.
According to a 14-page affidavit, Daytron Etkins, 41, retrieved a gun authorities say Keyan Rundell, 17, used to kill two people in DeLand.
A confidential source told investigators Rundell said that the double shooting was in self-defense. The source also said Rundell left the gun at the scene and said that he and his father later retrieved the weapon. Etkins is facing a charge of accessory after the fact.
One legal analyst said it’s unlikely charges could be upgraded.
“There’s no reason to believe that he conspired to commit the crime,” said Jose Rivas, a defense attorney who is not connected to the case. “That’s usually when you can charge two individuals with the same crime. That’s not we’re not seeing. We’re not seeing any evidence whatsoever that shows that he had any knowledge or involvement prior to the allegation of the crime being committed.”
The affidavit also referenced surveillance video from Etkins’ home, that DeLand police said captured the father and son shortly after the shooting. On that video, Etkins is seen carrying a semi-automatic handgun, communicating with his son, and bringing to some clothing a backyard grill — which Etkins then appears to set on fire, according to the affidavit.
That video evidence led to Etkins’ arrest. He was transferred to Volusia County jail where he is expected to have a first appearance on Tuesday on the accessory after the fact charge.
“In order to be charged with accessory after the fact, you have to have knowledge where that crime has been committed,” said Rivas. “And if you reasonably believe that there was no crime, that it was self-defense, the state’s going to have a much difficult chance of convicting him on this charge.” [00:05:39][12.5]
Rivas said Etkins could plead to a lesser charge, such as tampering with evidence. Etkins is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.
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