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Murder charges are filed in death of Rootstown man Victim died from beating in robbery of $185 coin collection
August 18, 2009
By Colin McEwen
Record-Courier staff writer
The four people charged for the severe beating and robbery of a Rootstown man will now face charges for his murder.
A Portage County grand jury handed down new charges on the four allegedly involved in the death of Richard Lowther, 68, of Rootstown.
Lowther was attacked July 2 at his Tallmadge Road home by people looking for money — the attackers made off with $185 in commemorative quarters.
Lowther was severely beaten and left paralyzed from the chest down, with limited use of his arms.
He died July 30 at Akron City Hospital as a result of his injuries.
The four arrested and subsequently charged are Jodi L. Fetty, 27, of 3647 McClintocksburg Road, Diamond; Darrell L. Dukes, 22, of 3075 S.R. 59, Ravenna; Jonathan H. Dukes, 23, of 3865 Blake Ave., Ravenna; and Cortez M. Oliver, 20, of Fairlawn.
On Monday afternoon, the Portage County Sheriff’s Office served indictments on Jonathan Dukes and Oliver for murder, an unclassified felony; and aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery — both first degree felonies.
Darrell Dukes and Fetty, each were served with charges of complicity to murder, an unclassified felony; aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery.
All four will be arraigned in Portage County Common Pleas Court today.
According to the sheriff’s office investigation, Fetty approached Lowther’s home at about 2:30 a.m. July 2. She told Lowther she was having car trouble and asked to use the phone.
Oliver and Jonathan Dukes then assaulted Lowther before stealing a collection of commemorative state quarters and fleeing in a vehicle driven by Darrell Dukes, according to the sheriff’s office.
A neighbor spotted Lowther lying on the ground in his front yard after the suspects had fled.
Deputies arrested Fetty when she tried to turn in 740 of the quarters — a total $185 — later that day at the Ravenna Giant Eagle. Fetty’s arrest led authorities to the three men allegedly involved.
“With the nature of this crime, it wouldn’t have mattered how much money they got,” said Sheriff David Doak. “If he would have lived he would have been paralyzed for the rest of his life. And now he’s dead. It’s ridiculous and senseless for the amount of money they got — it’s just senseless.”
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Next 10 Comments of 84 Total Comments
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84.
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Posted by MARCISDAD September 6, 2009
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I looked at this story and besides thinking how bad and sad it is, it probably would have been one that Marci would have covered. These people showed no mercy and they should have none back. It is a sad feeling to look at the Record-Courier site and not see her articles. I would like to ask the Marci fans among you all to visit the story of March 20, 2009 that starts with the title "Record-Courier reporter among victims...". There have been a few comments added by me and other people, and I would like to see a few more comments and opinions. Thanks.
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83.
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Posted by Keri September 1, 2009
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Airbo, stories like this make me NOT answer my door at all.....We have people that break down in their cars right in front of our house. They have come knocking and I keep my doors locked and I wont answer the door.
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82.
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Posted by Keri September 1, 2009
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LC, I am malicious then, because I feel they should get exactly what they did to Mr. Lowther. He died within 30 days of the SAVAGE beating. And they should die within 30 days also. Fair is Fair. As far as the parenting. Thats something the parents of these animals will have to live with. Just like Mr. Lowthers family will have to live their lives without him because of these animals.
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81.
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Posted by mike69 August 27, 2009
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lc, a nice stay in prison, come on now,
they murdered Mr. Lowther for nothing, what they deserve is the death penalty. But that is not going to happen. so they should atleast spend the rest of their lives in prison. But once again thats not going to happen. |
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80.
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Posted by LC August 27, 2009
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Some of you are so malicious! Yes, I agree that what these people did is sick and terrible and they deserve a nice stay in prison. But I wouldnt say they deserve the death penalty. But, thats just my opinion. My heart goes out to the victim's family. I'm a little unsure how to feel towards the families of the other 4 people though. I'm curious about the parenting. Of course you cannot blame the parents completely for how these idiots turned out, but maybe with the right guidance, they wouldnt have turned into murderers.
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79.
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Posted by Airbo August 24, 2009
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Stories like these make me less likely to answer my door.
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78.
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Posted by thetruth August 22, 2009
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I've spoken and that still the way I feel. Good day!
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77.
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Posted by whydoicare August 21, 2009
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becarefulfornothing...
These scum are just that, scum. They made their bed and I don't feel sorry for them. I feel for Mr. Lowther and his family...they deserve to see these animals put to death, but alas that will not happen. And by the way, I AM sitting on my high horse as I type this...I've NEVER made a mistake even 1/1,000,000,000,000,000,000 as bad as these pieces of human waste. They killed a man for 185 bucks...that sums them up pretty well. |
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76.
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Posted by thetruth August 21, 2009
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It seems like alot of you have too much time on your hands. What does spelling/typing errors have to do with this case. My heart goes out to the family of Mr Richard Lowther, but I also feel for the family of the four young people. Yes they have made a terrible life changing mistake, but don't sit up on your high horses and act like you've never done wrong. You can say well I never murdered anyone and that maybe correct, but before you judge these young people and their families so hard, make sure if your time ever comes you will be willing to take the same jugdement.
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75.
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Posted by whydoicare August 21, 2009
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Eye ahhgrease wit u PhilipA.
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