Aggravated-assault case bound over to Trumbull grand jury

The defendant is free on bond but on house arrest.

STAFF REPORT

NEWTON FALLS — A judge has bound over a Newton Falls man to a Trumbull County grand jury on a felony charge of aggravated assault in the death of a neighbor Aug. 16 on the sidewalk in front of Newton Village Apartments.

As a result of the decision by Judge Phil Vigorito of Newton Falls Municipal Court this week, a grand jury will be asked whether to indict Christopher Denvir, 32, of state Route 534, on the charge.

The case is still under investigation, however, and charges could be modified as the investigation progresses, said Detective Sgt. Peter Pizzulo of the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Department

Pizzulo is heading up the investigation into the death of David Brooks, 55, also of the Newton Village Apartments.

Pizzulo said the Cuyahoga County coroner’s office has not provided autopsy results to him. Those results, expected in the coming weeks, could determine whether more serious or modified charges are filed, Pizzulo said.

Denvir is free on $25,000 bond but is on house arrest.

Brooks died in University Hospitals in Cleveland, where he was taken after initial treatment from a Warren hospital. Brooks was found on the sidewalk in front of the apartment complex at about 2 a.m. after he and Denvir had a confrontation over Brooks’ driving.

Newton Falls Police Chief Robert Carlson said Brooks and Denvir argued after Denvir confronted Brooks about allegedly driving too fast through the apartment complex parking lot.

Words and hand gestures were exchanged before Brooks ended up with severe head injuries, Carlson said. Carlson declined to say whether Denvir is accused of throwing a punch or whether alcohol was involved in the incident. Carlson said it is a possibility Brooks hit his head on the sidewalk.