The Latest: Sheriff defends probe of slain ex-NFL player

HARVEY, La. (AP) The Latest on the fatal shooting of ex-NFL player Joe McKnight, who was killed during a road rage dispute (all times local):

10:50 a.m.

A sheriff in Louisiana is defending the investigation of a man who fatally shot ex-NFL player Joe McKnight during a road rage dispute.

Authorities say the shooter, Ronald Gasser, was taken into custody, questioned and released after the killing last Thursday. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand drew heated criticism for allowing Gasser's release.

On Tuesday, a day after Gasser was arrested and charged with manslaughter, the sheriff said Gasser had been released for strategic investigative reasons and because authorities needed to talk to witnesses.

The sheriff angrily said his department had been unfairly criticized, and he said the tone of some of the comments were outrageous. He read some of the criticisms aloud and slammed on the podium a couple of times, showing his frustration with some demands of immediate justice.

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8:40 a.m.

The man who fatally shot ex-NFL player Joe McKnight has been arrested and jailed on a charge of manslaughter.

Jail records show 54-year-old Ronald Gasser was arrested late Monday.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand has called a news conference for 10 a.m. Tuesday to discuss the case.

Gasser was released last week without charges pending further investigation of McKnight's death.

Normand said Thursday's shooting was the result of an apparent road rage incident.

When deputies arrived, the sheriff said Gasser handed them his gun and confessed to killing McKnight.