TRUMBULL COUNTY No charge in death after fight, jury says

Authorities said the two men got into an argument over NASCAR.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Trumbull County grand jury has chosen not to indict a 27-year-old man accused of causing the death of another man during a fight at a Niles restaurant bar.
Roy. J. Walls, 28, of Severn Court, is "extremely relieved" that he is no longer facing the involuntary-manslaughter charge, said his attorney, Robert Shaker.
"My client is very sad about what happened, but he was defending himself at the time," Shaker said. "My client shoved him back."
Authorities say Walls and Larry Marker, 43, of Dayton, got into an argument over NASCAR at Buffalo Wild Wings near the Eastwood Mall on Nov. 25.
What's behind charges
Witnesses said Walls punched Marker, who was knocked unconscious when his head hit the floor. Marker, who never regained consciousness, was transferred to a hospital in Troy, which was closer to his home.
He died Jan. 15.
Autopsy reports from the Miami County coroner's office say Marker died of seizures and a staph infection in the brain, results of the head injury and coma.
Five days before Marker's death, Walls pleaded no contest to an assault charge and was fined $100 and costs and given an 180-day suspended jail sentence.
Police said prosecutors researched the case to ensure that the new charge did not constitute double jeopardy.
Since assault is not an element of manslaughter, the charge could be handled separately, officials said.
sinkovich@vindy.com