By Sharon Turco
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Neely

Boyles

Authorities have arrested a man they say shot the assault rifle that killed Sara Ridder last April.

Her former boyfriend, William Boyles, 27, pleaded guilty in December to involuntary manslaughter with specifications.

As part of the plea, Mr. Boyles agreed to provide information about the killer.

Michael Neely, 27, of Bellevue, was indicted and arrested Friday on a charge of aggravated murder. Prosecutors say he fatally shot Ms. Ridder with an assault rifle through the back door of her Westwood home April 15 - the day Mr. Boyles was scheduled in court on a domestic violence charge.

Sara Ridder

Prosecutors have maintained that Mr. Boyles had a direct role in the death of the 24-year-old Cincinnati police dispatcher, the mother of his three children.

Ms. Ridder had broken off her relationship with Mr. Boyles.

Cincinnati Police Sgt. Joe Priestle said Mr. Neely and Mr. Boyles once lived together in Price Hill and were friends. He declined to say whether authorities think Mr. Boyles directed Mr. Neely to kill Ms. Ridder.

"We know Mr. Boyles wasn't there, but as to his involvement, the courts will have to decide," he said.