Dubois man dies and investigation continues

[quote]In a case like this, when it is as serious in nature as this, the last thing you want to do is have a rush to judgement or a rush in your investigation and not be thorough.” Detective Sgt. Rick Chambers, Jasper Police Department[/quote]

Jasper — A Dubois man has succumbed to the injuries he received in a fight at a Jasper bar over the weekend.

According to a spokesperson with St. Mary’s Medical Center, 41-year-old Tim Stafford passed away Wednesday evening at 7:20 p.m. CDT.

Stafford was found lying on the ground of the parking lot at J.R.s Bar on 23 Clay Street early Saturday morning. He was unresponsive and not breathing when police arrived at about 3 a.m. Stafford was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital and then transferred to St. Mary’s Medical Center in Evansville by LifeFlight helicopter.

Within an hour of the initial report, Jasper detective Sergeant Rick Chambers was interviewing witnesses of the altercation. “We have interviewed 11 witnesses so far to get a clearer picture of what occurred,” Sgt. Chambers said Thursday morning. “And we may have a few more to interview.”

Chambers released information on Tuesday stating the preliminary investigation had found that Stafford had gotten into a physical altercation outside the bar with 23-year-old Leslie M. Osborn Jr. and 22-year-old Zachary D. Parks, both of Petersburg. Despite their involvement in the altercation, no arrests have been made and no other individuals have been named.

“In a case like this, when it is as serious in nature as this, the last thing you want to do is have a rush to judgement or a rush in your investigation and not be thorough,” he explained. “If there are charges to be filed, that’s one good way to not get those charges to stick when the case goes to court. On the other hand, if these guys really did nothing criminal, you don’t want to rush to judgement and prosecute them for something they don’t need to be prosecuted for.”

Chambers stated, he would be forwarding his investigation with any charges — if any charges are filed — to the Dubois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office once the investigation is complete. He did not state when he expected to finalize the investigation.

The Jasper Police Department is still seeking information concerning the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call 482-2255 and speak with detective Sgt. Rick Chambers.