Two gas industry workers are officially charged in the beating death of a Wheeling Jesuit University student, officials said on Wednesday.
An Ohio County grand jury on Monday indicted Craig Tyler Peacock, 22, of Clewiston, Fla., on a murder charge, Prosecuting Attorney Scott R. Smith said. His court hearing is set for Jan. 23.
Jarrett Mathis Chandler, 24, of Winnfield, La., was charged with misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter, Smith said. No court date was set.
Kevin Figaniak, 21, a senior business major from Perkasie in Bucks County, died from brain injuries suffered in the fight.
During a Sept. 11 hearing in Wheeling, police said Figaniak and his friend argued with Chandler and Peacock after a night of drinking on Aug. 31.
Figaniak and his friend, whom police have not identified, were drinking at Ye Olde Alpha, a popular neighborhood bar, police said. Chand-ler, Peacock and a third man, Tyler Witty, were drinking at The Owl's Nest nearby.
They exchanged words outside the The Owl's Nest, and the gas industry workers followed Figaniak and his friend more than 900 feet down a street, police said. A brief fight ensued, in which Peacock punched Figaniak in the head, knocking him unconscious. Chandler fought with the unnamed student, police said.
An autopsy found three serious head wounds led to Figaniak's death, authorities said. Figaniak died from his injuries the next day.
Witty, 22, a gas industry worker from Illinois, was not charged. His lawyer, Todd LaNeve of Clarksburg, W.Va., said Witty witnessed the fight but was not involved. Smith said he would not speculate whether charges against Witty might be filed.
Chandler and Peacock remain in custody at Northern Regional Jail under bonds of $1 million each.
Chris Togneri is a Trib Total Media staff writer. Reach him at 412-380-5632 or ctogneri@tribweb.com.
