Man involved in shooting had prior murder conviction

NEWARK - A man involved in a Thanksgiving Day shooting at a Licking Township home was convicted of murder more than 30 years ago.

Milton D. Jarvis, 69, reportedly brought a firearm with him when he went to the home of Charles "Rick" Newman, 56, on Rosemary Lane in Licking Township.

After some kind of argument, Jarvis reportedly drew the firearm and fired, striking Newman. A scuffle ensued and Jarvis was shot, Sheriff Randy Thorp said.

Detectives are still investigating what the argument was about and how Newman and Jarvis knew each other.

The Licking County Coroner's Office performed autopsies on both men.

Preliminary results show Jarvis died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, investigator Mickey Lymon said.

Newman had three gunshot wounds on his chest, left arm and head. His death was ruled a homicide, Lymon said.

Jarvis had been convicted of two counts of trafficking in cocaine Nov. 24. As a result of that conviction, he was not legally allowed to possess a firearm.

According to Jarvis' case file, he spent 17 years in prison for murder.

Assistant Licking County Prosecutor Chris Reamer confirmed Jarvis had a conviction from 1980 in Indiana for murder.

Court records show Jarvis had participated with another man in robbing service stations, and when one of the robberies went badly, the clerk was killed. Jarvis also was convicted in 1999 of aggravated preparation of drugs for sale in Licking County and spent additional time in prison.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized for Newman. Reed-Egan Funeral Home is assisting the family.