Chillicothe — The Ross County Grand Jury returned all 14 of their cases on Friday, July 26th, 2024, with three open for release to the public. From testimony in the the grand jury in one of the cases, according to the Ross County Prosecutor’s Office:
On June 28th, Ross County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a homeless camp at the East Main Street bridge, near Charleston Pike and the US 23 freeway, in reference to an assault.
The victim stated that the night prior, 43-year-old Steven Lee Norton had accused the victim of stealing his property, which he denied. Norton then hit his left shoulder with a bat, and the victim blocked a second hit with his hand. Both hits left bruises and scratches.
Another camp resident and victim said Norton had confronted her about missing property in the early hours of June 28th. Norton threatened to burn down her mother’s house, and also burn down the victim’s new camp like he had burned down her old.
She also said he had chased for her about 100 yards with the baseball bat, and he stopped only when she said she had a loaded gun and would use it.
For indictments on:
- Second-degree felony felonious assault, he could get up to eight years and $15,000 in fines.
- Misdemeanor aggravated menacing, he could get up to six months and $1,000 in fines.
Norton remains in custody, and also has charges of menacing and drug paraphernalia in his booking information.
