Court news: Man charged for beating teen; man gets split sentence in stabbing
A Gary man was charged Monday for choking and beating an 18-year-old who had 'beef' with his teen son. The victim had a couple of teeth knocked out and needed his jaw wired shut, records show.
However, 45 minutes later, a trio – including possibly the victim's relative and two Hispanic males – showed back up to shoot the son. Vehicles were shot up and police recovered at least 10 casings.
The son ran back toward the house as it started. No one was hurt. Public court filings do not show charges have been filed in the shooting. A prosecutor's spokeswoman wasn't immediately available to respond to why there were charges in the alleged beating but not the shooting.
The father, Virgil Tharp, 36, was charged with aggravated battery and two counts of battery. He is being held in jail without bond till June 25, when it is set at $5,000 cash surety.
The Lake County Sheriff's Department responded late on June 6 to the 2200 block of W. 48th Place in Gary.
Tharp's son said a group, including his sister, her best friend, the friend's boyfriend, and the victim showed up to get some firewood from their dad's house.
The son claimed at first he opened the truck door to beat his rival, but witnesses later said it was Tharp. The conflict either stemmed 'over a girl' or a rude comment made a few years earlier, documents state.
Witnesses alleged the victim threatened to shoot up Tharp's house in the past.
Court records indicate there's no video of the shooting.
A Gary man was sentenced to one year in prison with four years probation Tuesday for stabbing his roommate, filings show.
Navarro Ewing, 46, pleaded guilty in May to battery by means of a deadly weapon.
Gary Police responded Sept. 2, 2024, to the apartment on the 800 block of Massachusetts St.
The victim said he wanted to get out of there after they argued over $10. On the way toward the door, Ewing threw a butcher's knife, stabbing him in the buttock, records show.
The case was before Judge Samuel Cappas. Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Dafoe was assigned. Lawyer Matt Latulip represented Ewing.
mcolias@post-trib.com
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