A Glouster man currently being held on an assault charge will now also face a murder charge after his victim died Friday afternoon in a Columbus hospital.
Gary F. Wooten, 20, was charged with one count of felonious assault Wednesday after he allegedly got into an altercation with Harvey Aaron Pruitt, 20, of Buchtel, at 61 Main St. in Chanucey. The two got into a fist fight and Pruitt was left unconscious, according to a post on Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly’s Facebook page.
Kelly could not be reached for comment.
Pruitt was taken to O’Bleness Hospital and was taken by life flight to Grant Hospital in Columbus, according to court documents.
Pruitt died at 1:45 p.m. Friday in Grant Hospital, said Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn.
A murder charge was added to Wooten’s felonious assault charge, Blackburn said.
Wooten could be sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years if found guilty of murder, Blackburn said.
Numerous people witnessed the incident and statements were taken by the Sheriff’s office. Wooten and Pruitt went to the same high school, Blackburn said.
The two had gotten into a fight about four years ago, according to the post.
Wooten is currently being held at the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail on $50,000 bond.
He will be re-arraigned with the murder at 9:30 a.m. Monday in Athens County Municipal Court, Blackburn said.
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