Tuesday, June 19, 2007
An object found at the house, a tool, appeared to be used in the beating.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
WELLSVILLE — A Wellsville man who often fought with his father is now charged with murder in the older man’s death.
John Gamble, Columbiana County’s chief assistant prosecutor, said Monday that James W. Yost Sr., 59, was found right inside the front door of his house at 1103 Riverside Ave. early Friday.
His son, James W. Yost Jr., 30, is being held at the county jail.
Authorities said the son went to the village’s police and fire dispatching center at 3:50 a.m. Friday.
Gamble said the son “indicated generally what had happened.”
The fight “appeared to be a domestic argument,” the assistant prosecutor said.
The father showed signs of blunt force trauma, according to Gamble. He added that an object was found at the house that appeared to have been used in the beating. He would only describe it as a tool.
The senior Yost was taken to East Liverpool Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
It was not clear where the son was living.
In 1997, the defendant used his father’s address in a misdemeanor case in Columbiana County Municipal Court. He was found guilty of aggravated trespass and fined $75.
In 2002, the son was indicted in a felonious assault on his father. The charge was later reduced to aggravated assault, a fourth degree felony.
At that time, the son gave authorities addresses in East Palestine and Hammondsville.
Gamble said the son was sentenced to six months in prison and was then placed on probation.
The father accompanied his son to court during the lengthy hearings, Gamble said. The senior Yost’s wife died several years ago.
Columbiana County Coroner Dr. William Graham has not issued a ruling on the cause of death.
A preliminary hearing to consider binding the case over to the county grand jury will be at 1 p.m. Monday in municipal court.
wilkinson@vindy.com