Recordpub.com - Beaten man in critical condition: Sheriff identifies victim as Richard Lowther, 68, of Rootstown

Darrel Dukes - Charged with complicity to murder

Jonathan Dukes — Charged with murder

Jodi Fetty - Charged with complicity to murder

Cortez Oliver — Charged with murder

By Matt Fredmonsky

Record-Courier staff writer

A Rootstown man remains in critical condition and could be paralyzed following an attack and robbery at his Tallmadge Road home last week.

Authorities identified Richard Lowther, 68, of 2954 Tallmadge Road, as the man whom four people are accused of beating at his home Thursday and robbing him of a coin collection.

Portage County Sheriff David Doak released Lowther’s name Tuesday. Lowther’s identification came one day after separate, $350,000 bonds were set for the four people accused of luring him out of his home and attacking him.

Doak said his department is maintaining contact with Lowther’s son, who indicated to authorities Lowther was paralyzed from the chest down as a result of his injuries sustained early Thursday morning.

Portage County Sheriff’s Lt. Greg Johnson said Lowther’s son told investigators he is in critical condition and on a ventilator at Akron City Hospital.

“He said his dad has stabilized and they’re hoping he’s going to improve,” Johnson said.

Authorities believe Jodi Fetty, 27, of 3647 McClintocksburg Road, Diamond, knocked on Lowther’s door at 2:30 a.m. Thursday claiming she had car trouble. She asked to use his phone. Lowther lives alone.

While she used the phone, Jonathan Dukes, 23, of 3865 Blake Ave., Ravenna, and Cortez M. Oliver, 20, of Fairlawn, appeared on Lowther’s porch. He ventured outside to see who the men were and they attacked him, according to police.

The attackers then entered Lowther’s home and took a collection of state commemorative quarters before fleeing in a car driven by Dukes’ brother, 21-year-old Darrell Dukes of 3075 S.R. 59, Ravenna.

All four people charged in the burglary were arraigned Monday on aggravated burglary charges, all of which are first-degree felonies. Authorities expect additional charges will be filed after the case is presented to a Portage County grand jury Thursday.

The suspects were arrested when they attempted to turn in 740 of the commemorative quarters — a total $185 — at the Ravenna Giant Eagle store.

Johnson said the burglars may have gotten more than the 740 quarters they attempted to cash in.

“This elderly gentleman is now in the hospital, possibly paralyzed, for 740 quarters,” Johnson said.

30.	Posted by chilidawg July 8, 2009
	Dukes, Whether you like it or not, myself and many I know pick our community and kids' school based on the demographics of the neighborhood. Most won't admit that. Generally, working people that take pride in their homes and neighbors. And, when scum like this roams out to our neighborhoods to victimize people that work for a living, I get furious, and want blood. That's why we don't like the little skanks from our own neighborhoods that try to rebel against daddy and date these animals. This is why I teach my wife and sons to remain vigilant at all times, and exactly why my 10 year old kid can out shoot people three times his age. This is EXACTLY why I carry more heat than a Blackwater Operative when I go to Wal Mart in Kent\Ravenna. Can't ya feel the Hope and Change, bro?

29.	Posted by TheRoverReporter July 8, 2009
	I pray that Mr Lowether has a full recovery. I also hope these four are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. To all of my fellow Rootstown residence, do not put up with this type of behavior in our community! Get to know your neighbors even better than you do today. Ban together and put a stop to this in the future! Watch out for each other and be careful. We live in a target rich enviroment for people who choose to pray on others. Easy access to a major highway and many back roads that lead to adjacent communities. Times have changed. As you can see by actions of these four individuals, we can no longer open our doors to strangers. Even when they seem to be in trouble. I am not saying Mr Lowether did anything wrong, but there are ways of helping without putting yourself in harms way. I know this never crossed his mind as he was simply trying to help a fellow human being, but he could have made a call for her if she needed t ocontact someone she knew that could help her. I am simply saying that we now ALL need to be more careful.

25.	Posted by cquinn July 8, 2009
	I totally agree with you about the community being shocked. I am shocked,too. I lived in Rootstown for 27 years. I agree that these sick people should pay for this awful crime. I also agree that residency and color of skin are not the issue, hense my previous post. That was the whole point of my post. Did you read the previous posts? THAT is the reason for my post and the redneck comment. (Which I appologize if I offended you with that comment) Previous posts are speculating that race, economic status, lack of guns, where people live are the reason for this. And you are completely right, we may never know why someone would such a terrible thing. I get the point, people are upset and shocked, my statement was to remind people to focus on helping and encouraging the victim and his family. I think you might have missed mine.

24.	Posted by sherri7352 July 8, 2009
	No disrespect cquinn, but I believe you are missing point here. What I hear in these posts is a lot of outraged people feeling empathy for this man and his family and has no sympathy or want leniency for these criminals. This is why you are hearing all the outcries of our community. Trying to understand, why this happened in their small town. Which we probably will never understand. A lot of people here are well wishing, as well as speculating. They are flabbergasted, shocked, whatever you want to call it beyond belief. Basically they are hoping for a recovery for this man and that the punishment fits the crime. Hopefully swaying others from doing the same thing in their town. I can't speak for this family, but I know if it were mine, I would appreciate the well wishes, and probably wonder why and how myself. I would be angry, sickened and sad. I'm sure an array of things would run through my mind. Color of skin and residency isn't the issue. When you see things like this in today's world, it usually isn't because of the thrill of it as it were. It is usually because of drugs. That is just down right scary! Whatever the reason, it is a horrific thing to happen in any community and the well wishers here only want justice for this man and his family. I surely hope you are not this families spoke person, as the redneck comment was completely uncalled for.