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.

19.	Posted by cquinn July 8, 2009
	I know Mr. Lowther's son. I know that they are a good family and that Mr. Lowther is a good man who was just trying to help someone. I think the family would appreciate good thoughts and prayers for the recovery of Mr. Lowther rather than speculating on redneck reasons WHY this happened. Yes, these people are SICK! I grew up in Rootstown and live there no longer. It is a small town where I'd like to think crimes like this do not happen. Not because they don't have (black) people or jobless people from Ravenna, but because it is just a small town. Maybe it IS the bad economy that drives sick people to commit crimes, maybe it IS poor up-bringing, but when it comes down to it; does it really matter? There is a man in a hospital bed who may never walk again. There is a devestated family. Healing for the family is what need to happen here not trying to figure out why "these people" were in Rootstown.

18.	Posted by Vydunas July 8, 2009
	"I did not realize that people have the right to judge what people do by the color of their skin or where they live." You know, Dukes, people have the right to judge people by whatever criteria they choose, because they are sovereign individuals, and it's time you realized that. Is it wise or moral to pre-judge (same root as prejudice) on the basis of skin? No. But when even Jesse Jackson is afraid of young black men, it's pretty clear that we have a problem. And maybe people should be putting the energy they use complaining about racism into cleaning their communities up. We'd have fewer of these problems if we weren't in the business of subsidizing the breeding of those who can't or won't support themselves.

14.	Posted by Integrity July 8, 2009
	Put these 4 lowlife scumbags on the courthouse lawn and let the public do as they please to them. I don't care what color they are, how old they are or where they are from. This was a horrific crime that has changed the life of the victim forever. We, the taxpayers, will be picking up the tab for these scumbags to be housed in a jail cell for years - being fed and clothed, having tv privileges and who knows what else. Like chilidawg, I can remember the days when you could go to bed in the summer time with your doors open and windows open. Now you have to worry about leaving your door unlocked even during the day, not just at night when you're sleeping. And forget leaving your vehicle unlocked out in the driveway. You can bet that if these 4 had not been caught, they'd have been out doing the same thing to another victim within days. They have no conscience and don't deserve to be a part of our socity.