First Posted: 2/20/2015
WAPAKONETA — Three men were indicted this week in the June slaying of an Uniopolis man beaten to death inside his home.
All three will face the death penalty, Auglaize County Prosecutor Ed Pierce said Friday.
Aaron M. Dietrich Sr., 26, of Wapakoneta, Joseph R. Furry, 30, of Van Wert, and James P. Dinsmore, 28, all are charged with two counts of aggravated murder, and one count each of aggravated burglary, kidnapping and intimidation of a witness.
The arrests come this week, about eight months into a lengthy investigation, Auglaize County Sheriff Al Solomon said.
“I’m very pleased with these arrests. There is more work that needs to be done,” Solomon said. “This brings hopefully some justice to the victims and the victim’s family.”
The men are charged in the June 9 death of Charles Hicks, 54, who was found dead in his upstairs apartment at 2 Main St., Uniopolis. Deputies were called to the apartment at 4:30 p.m. that day over a deceased man.
Solomon and Pierce would not discuss a motive or say how the three men became suspects. All three are being held on $5 million bonds.
The indictments filed this week gives a glimpse into a possible motive. One of the death penalty specifications said Hicks was killed to prevent his testimony as a witness in a criminal case.
Hicks’ autopsy report said he was beaten to death. It said he had crushing injuries to the front of his neck that led to him suffocating.
Hicks’ coworkers and friends began looking for him the morning of his death after he failed to arrive at his job. People visited his building once. Later, they returned. When they entered the apartment through an open door, they spotted blood throughout the apartment, according to the autopsy report.
They left and called for emergency help. A deputy quickly arrived.
Hicks’ body was found under a pile of blankets on a bed. The autopsy report said he had been dead for a while based on stages the body goes through after death. The time of death was placed sometime in the 28 hours after 8 p.m. June 7, according to the report.
Hicks was bound. Someone used black duct tape to tie his wrists behind his back. Tape was also around his ankles.
The autopsy report lists numerous injuries associated with a severe beating including facial injuries and broken ribs. He had alcohol in his system.
The next step is an arraignment in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court. Furry’s arraignment is scheduled for March 2. Arraignments for the others have yet to be scheduled.
