Glouster man’s assault case goes to grand jury

NEW LEXINGTON – A Glouster man could face indictment from a Perry County grand jury after he was arrested last week for an apparent assault that led to a man’s death.

Judge Dean Wilson announced Friday that probable cause exists to bind Brandon Keith’s case over to common pleas court, where a grand jury could possibly indict him on formal charges.

Keith, 23, has been held at the Southeast Ohio Regional Jail in Nelsonville on one second-degree felonious assault charge since his arrest July 24. His bond is set at $250,000.

Prosecutors could seek more serious charges against Keith after the man authorities say he assaulted died Sunday at a Columbus hospital from those injuries.

The Perry County Sheriff’s Office had announced Monday that the investigation was being treated as a homicide after Fred Fisher, 55, died from injuries sustained during the confrontation with Keith outside a Corning store late July 23.

But Keith’s attorney, Robert Toy, had argued Tuesday that Keith was acting in self-defense after Fisher attacked him first. Keith has no prior criminal record, Toy said.

Perry County sheriff’s deputies responded at 10:44 p.m. Thursday to John’s Place at 113 E. Main St. in Corning in reference to an unresponsive man lying in the parking lot. Fisher was flown to the Columbus hospital, where he was initially listed as being in critical condition.

Keith was identified as the suspect and authorities with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office searched 11650 Burr Oak Road in Glouster, where he was taken into custody.

Also assisting with his arrest were the Corning and Crooksville police departments.

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