Ind. man accused of fatally punching man allegedly didn’t realize victim was dead
12/14/2022 11:55 am PST
ANDERSON, Ind. (TCD) -- A 34-year-old man was arrested after allegedly punching a 66-year-old man and causing fatal trauma to the victim’s head and face.
According to WRTV-TV, the fatal attack occurred on Tuesday, Dec. 6, on West 27th Street. The victim was reportedly identified as Jerry Gray.
Jacob Fite met with the victim at a liquor store before driving him to his home, WXIN-TV reports. Once there, Fite reportedly went inside to "chitchat and have some more drinks."
According to court documents obtained by WXIN, Gray allegedly showed Fite a bayonet and poked him with it, and Fite responded by punching Gray in the nose. Blood was reportedly drawn.
After punching Gray, the victim showed Fite another bayonet, WXIN reports. Fite reportedly called the second bayonet "legit," and it was described as being one "from Vietnam."
Fite allegedly responded to the second bayonet by "laying him out." According to WXIN, Gray went unconscious, but Fite didn’t know that he was dead.
One of Fite’s acquaintances told authorities that Fite called him and asked him to help hide the victim’s body because Fite’s truck had run out of gas, WXIN reports. The acquaintance reportedly went over to the home, and Fite was "crying and very emotional."
Fite said he did not ask his acquaintance to help move the body, according to WXIN. However, Fite reportedly told authorities he did call for help because he was out of gas, but he didn’t realize Gray was dead.
WXIN reports that neighbors later helped Fite jump-start his truck, but they didn’t shake his hand afterward "due to blood being all over (Fite’s) hands."
Blood was reportedly recovered from Fite’s clothes for DNA evidence.
The victim was eventually found by Anderson Police officers on the living room floor, according to WXIN. He had suffered trauma to his head and face consistent with battery.
Fite was booked into the Madison County Jail for involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery on Dec. 6, records show. He remains held on $20,000 bond.
Fite faces between three and 16 years for the aggravated battery charge and between one and six years for the involuntary manslaughter charge if convicted.
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