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Man Charged With Murder In Marengo Death

Last updated on Monday, October 3, 2011

(MARENGO) - 31-year-old Jason R. Ferguson is charged with murder in the death of his friend and neighbor 48 year-old Joe W. Hopper Jr., 48.

Friday afternoon, the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force helped Indiana State Police execute two felony arrest warrants on Ferguson.

According to an ISP press release, detectives were able to establish enough probable cause for the Crawford County Circuit Court to issue two warrants, one for murder and the other for voluntary manslaughter.

State Police Sergeant Chad Dick says evidence at the Oak Grove Apartments in Marengo does show there was a struggle between the two men and that struggle led to Hopper's death and Ferguson's injuries.

Police did not disclose details about what might have led to the fight or how Hopper was killed.

A neighbor called police just before 6 p.m. Wednesday, after finding Hopper dead in a pool of blood, Ferguson was found unconscious. Both men were found in Ferguson's apartment. Ferguson was flown by helicopter to University of Louisville Hospital.

Lynn Fentress also lives in the apartment complex says she and another neighbor noticed bloody footprints outside their apartments Tuesday night. Police say the scene was extremely bloody.

An autopsy was performed on Hopper's body and police are waiting for the results of toxicology testing.

Upon his dismissal from the hospital, Ferguson was arrested and transported to the Jefferson County Detention Center in Kentucky where he is awaiting extradition to Indiana.

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