Beaten With Fists, Sticks and Bat

Three of the four people accused in the beating death of Charles Tillman asked a judge for youthful offender status.

The brawl was apparently over a vehicle and happened in June on Two Mile Road in Irvington. Craig Skipper, his 17-year old son Adam, 20-year old John Connor and 19-year old Jayce Golemon were all charged with Tillman's murder. Prosecutors say they used fists, feet, sticks and a baseball bat to kill him.

Defense Attorney Skip Brutkiewicz says that his client, Adam Skipper (16 yrs old at the time) was actually attacked first. "They started the fight by coming up to my 16-year old kid and hitting him in the mouth. He wasn't beaten by my client."

The judge listened to the lawyers of all three young men and decided not to grant them youthful offender status. The four are also charged with the assault of David Webster. He was at the brawl that night too but prosecutors say he managed to get away.

Their trials are set for early next year.