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Special grand jury indicts six for home invasion, beating

Six people were indicted by a special Washington County grand jury this week for their alleged role in a New Matamoras home invasion where a man was badly beaten. Two had their bond set and their pleas heard by Washington County Common Pleas Judge Randall Burnworth on Friday.

Co-defendants Joseph L. Slider, 28, whose last known address was 112 Sunset Ave., Marietta, John M. Decker, 42, of 1613 15th Ave, Parkersburg, Gabriella I. Chaffin, 19, of 2603 16th Ave., Parkersburg, Jonathan D. Ahart, 40, of 251 Poplar St., Davisville, Brittney L. McIntyre, 25, of 202 Edgelawn St., Parkersburg, and Clark E. Westbrook, 32, address unknown, were charged with 12 counts and six specifications for their alleged participation in the robbery and beating of a New Matamoras man.

Decker and Chaffin both pleaded not guilty to their charges associated with their alleged roles in the home invasion of William McFall, 60, of 1218 Williamson Ave., New Matamoras. The pair, along with Slider and Ahart, allegedly forced their way into McFall’s home during the early morning hours of Nov. 27. Reportedly Decker and Slider then pistol whipped and beat McFall, causing a fractured skull and what the Washington County Sheriff’s Office described as a large amount of blood at the crime scene.

After McFall was rendered unconscious, the four suspects reportedly took a phone, cash and five guns from his residence. McIntyre is then alleged to have joined the four after the robbery to help destroy evidence by cleaning up the crime scene. Westbrook allegedly received the stolen items from McFall’s home.

The grand jury indicted Slider, Ahart, Decker and Chaffin with a third-degree felony charge of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony of theft of firearms and a fourth-degree felony of theft of a person in a protected class. Slider and Decker were also charged with first-degree felony attempted murder, first-degree felony aggravated robbery, first-degree felony kidnapping and second-degree felonies of felonious assault and felonious assault with a deadly weapon. Ahart and Chaffin were also charged with first-degree felony complicity to aggravated robbery. Westbrook was charged with fourth-degree felony theft from a person in a protected class and first-degree misdemeanor receiving stolen property. McIntyre was charged with third-degree felony tampering with evidence.

During the bond hearing for Decker, Washington County Assistant Prosecutor Joe Derkin said the group’s blatant disregard for McFall’s wellbeing after the attack warranted a higher bond.

“He almost bled to death while they destroyed evidence,” he said.

Decker’s bond was set at $500,000 by Burnworth. Chaffin’s bond was $250,000 due to her more limited role in the alleged home invasion.

“I believe you both agreed on $250,000 since she wasn’t indicted on the attempted murder?” confirmed Burnworth to the public defender and assistant prosecutor.

Both Decker’s and Chaffin’s trials are set for Feb. 19. No bond hearing has been set yet for the other defendants.

At a glance:

•Joseph L. Slider: Attempted murder (F1), aggravated robbery (F1), felonious assault (F2), felonious assault with a deadly weapon (F2), tampering with evidence (F3), kidnapping (F3), theft of firearms (F3) and theft from a person in a protected class (F4). He faces up to 54 and a half years in prison and $105,000 in fines.

•John M. Decker: Attempted murder (F1), aggravated robbery (F1), felonious assault (F2), felonious assault with a deadly weapon (F2), tampering with evidence (F3), kidnapping (F3), theft of firearms (F3) and theft from a person in a protected class (F4). He faces up to 54 and a half years in prison and $105,000 in fines.

•Jonathan D. Ahart: Complicity to aggravated robbery (F1), tampering with evidence (F3), theft of firearms (F3), theft from a person in a protected class (F4). He faces up to 22 and a half years in prison and a $45,000 fine.

•Gabriella I. Chaffin: Complicity to aggravated robbery (F1), tampering with evidence (F3), theft of firearms (F3), theft from a person in a protected class (F4). She faces up to 22 and a half years in prison and a $45,000 fine.

•Clark E. Westbrook: Receiving stolen property (M1), theft from a person in a protected class (F4). He faces up to two years in prison and a $6,000 fine.

•Brittney L. McIntyre: Tampering with evidence (F3). She faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

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