The man who called 911 after getting into a fight with his roommate has been indicted for murder.

On March 5, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from Crawford’s Lane for an unresponsive male.

The call was made by Joseph G. Nutgrass, 50, who told dispatchers that he and his roommate, 45-year-old Ricky Patterson had been in a fight.

“My roommate and I got into an argument and he’s not responding,” Nutgrass said to dispatch according to the report. “He tried to break my leg and I tried to choke him out. Now he is not responding.”

Nutgrass went to a neighbor’s house to call 911 before returning to perform CPR on Patterson. Deputies arrived and took over CPR. Nutgrass told deputies that Patterson had taken pills before falling unresponsive.

According to previous news reports, in the citation, Nutgrass waived his Miranda Rights and stated in an interview with detectives that he put Patterson in a “Full Nelson” and “Body Triangle.” He denied putting Patterson in a chokehold despite what he told dispatchers. Nutgrass stated that the two had been in a fight a few days before.

Deputies believed that both Patterson and Nutgrass had been consuming alcohol. Nutgrass was charged with murder and booked at the Pulaski County Detention Center.

A Lincoln County grand jury indicted Nutgrass on May 14 on one count of murder.

His bond was set at $100,000. An arraignment has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 28.

Det. Sgt. Michael Mullins testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Additional indictments

The following people were indicted by a Lincoln County grand jury on May 10:

• Bryden W. Woolsey, 20, of Hustonville: one count of third-degree burglary by unlawfully entering or remaining unlawfully in a building belonging to Barry Rich with the intent to commit a crime on Nov. 10, 2023; first-degree criminal mischief by destroying or damaging property belonging to Barry Rich of a value of over $1,000; one count of theft by unlawful taking by taking property belonging to Barry Rich of a value of over $1,000. An arraignment has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 28. Bond was set at $7,500. Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
• Jessie D. Riddle, 26, of Waynesburg: two counts of wanton endangerment by operating his vehicle in conduct which created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury upon Nathan Whitaker and Ralph V. Naylor on Nov. 20, 2023. An arraignment has been scheduled for 10 am. on June 14. Bond was set at $10,000. Deputy Mike Mullins testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
• Jeffrey D. Helton, 51, of Crab Orchard: one count of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) on March 29, 2023. An arraignment has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 28. Bond was set at $5,000. Det. Sgt. Michael Mullins testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
• Randall S. Strunk, 36, of Lancaster: one count of trafficking in a controlled substance on Dec. 22, 2023 by knowingly and unlawfully being in possession of more than two grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, sell of transfer after having previously been convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance; and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. An arraignment has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 14. Bond was set at $7,500. Det. Sgt. Michael Mullins testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.