Son accused of killing father is found hanged

LISBON — A prisoner has hanged himself in the Columbiana County Jail.

Sheriff David L. Smith confirmed that a defendant accused of killing his father over drugs hanged himself Friday afternoon in his cell.

James W. Yost Jr., 30, of Wellsville, was charged in the beating death of James W. Yost Jr., 59, also of Wellsville.

The men had the same surnames, according to county officials.

Smith said that Yost was under a 20-minute suicide watch at the jail. He said workers were to look at Yost every 20 minutes, and records reflect the checks were made.

An inspection revealed he had hanged himself with a sheet.

Smith said jail workers tried to revive him but were unable to do so. He was taken to Salem Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 3:30 p.m.

Yost was not in a general cell with other prisoners.

The elder Yost was struck 10 times with a pipe wrench at his home in Wellsville early June 15, according to court testimony by Wellsville Police Chief Joe Scarabino.

The chief testified that the son said that he asked his father for drugs, and the father denied he had any. There was testimony the father had thrown away drugs belonging to his son at a Salineville residence.

Yost then went to the basement, got a wrench, and went back upstairs. When the elder Yost told his son to get a job, the chief said the son admitted taking out the wrench and striking his father multiple times.

During his appearances in court, Yost  told Municipal Court Judge Mark Frost he had blacked out, and added, “I didn’t mean to kill my father.”

The defendant also said, “Can I plead guilty right now and have immediate sentencing?”