Family member: Crestline beating victim Michael 'Mikey' Benedict, 40, has died
Crestline beating victim Michael "Mikey" Benedict died around 6:30 a.m. Thursday.
His death was reported on the Justice for Mikey Facebook page by Benedict's cousin, Sherry Denue.
The 40-year-old Crawford County native was found unconscious by Crestline police investigating a 911 report of a beating shortly after 2:20 a.m. Oct. 10.
Family members have reported Benedict died and was revived at the scene, on Union Street between Wiley and Clink streets; then again after being taken to Avita Health System-Galion Hospital.
He was flown to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center for additional treatment. On Oct. 22, family members announced doctors there had determined that Benedict had suffered irreversible damage to three portions of his brain. He was moved to hospice care a few days later.
THEY'RE GONNA KILL HIM': Crestline protesters say 911 caller saved Mikey Benedict's life
Incident began with a confrontation at a bar
The father of six lived in Carey with his longtime girlfriend, Taszia Waaland, though he had been staying with his mother, Karen Murr, in Bucyrus at the time of the beating.
According to reports, the incident began with a confrontation at Just Jokin' Bar and Grill. Around 2 a.m., police were called and all parties were asked to leave.
About 20 minutes later, the 911 call came in. The Telegraph-Forum obtained a recording of that call through a public records request.
"They were beating him and kicking him in the head. I could hear the guys yelling," the caller said. "They're coming back to beat on him. They're kicking him again. They're kicking him. ... Hurry, they're beating him. They're still beating him. ... Oh my God. There's a female there too. They're gonna kill him. They're gonna kill him."
RALLY FOR JUSTICE: Beating victim's family holds 'Justice for Mikey' rally
Three people charged
Three people have been charged with felonious assault in connection with the beating. Cameron Everett Davis, 31, Crestline; Timothy W. Montgomery, 49, Crestline; and Jacqueline Dawn Montgomery, 43, Crestline; all were indicted by a Crawford County grand jury on Oct. 12, according to records from the Crawford County Clerk of Courts. Each faces a charge of felonious assault, a second-degree felony punishable by up to eight years in prison.
They were arraigned Oct. 14, and bond was set at $100,000 for Timothy Montgomery, $75,000 for Jacqueline Montgomery and $150,000 for Davis.
Crawford County Prosecutor Matthew Crall could not be reached immediately for comment on Thursday morning.
Family members were angered when the suspects were released from Crawford County Jail on bond, and have held multiple protests demanding "Justice for Mikey."
Rally and benefit planned
A rally is planned for 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Crestline swimming pool. Another rally is planned 6-9 p.m. Friday on Washington Square.
A benefit to help Benedict's family with medical and funeral expenses is being planned for 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Nov. 12 at VFW Post 1078, 330 E. Mansfield St., Bucyrus, with both lunch and dinner served.
ggoble@gannett.com
419-521-7263
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Beating victim Michael 'Mikey' Benedict dies 25 days after assault
