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Pocono News Section
Fatal Muncy Bar Fight Case Will Go to Trial
Fatal Muncy Bar Fight Case Will Go to Trial - Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 4:52PM EST
Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 @04:52pm EST
Muncy, Lycoming County-
A Lycoming County man is headed to trial, accused of fatally beating a man during a deadly bar fight. That decision comes after a preliminary hearing today in front of District Judge C. Roger McRae.
Jeremy Michael Ball is accused of instigating the bar fight that led to the death of 32-year-old Jason Sanner at Papagallo's Bar in Muncy. Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Osokow said, "We're pleased. We believe that's the proper decision and that the evidence supports the holding over of the case for court."
"There's a lot of people that's going to miss him. He had a lot of friends that he'd hang out with a lot," said Sanner’s ex-wife, Shawna Hester.
Witnesses say the fight, which happened February 29th of this year, started out as an argument over Sanner allegedly making calls to Jeremy Ball's ex-wife. Prosecution witnesses testified that the verbal altercation eventually escalated to a fistfight. According to arrest papers, Ball landed a few punches, one of which knocked Sanner face-first to the floor. One witness said Ball hit Sanner in the back of the head two more times after he was already on the ground, taunting him as he then walked back to the bar area. Jason Sanner was taken to Muncy Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead just after 11pm.
Ball now faces charges of 3rd degree murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, and aggravated assault.
Sanner's ex-wife, Shawna, says Jason was a good father to the six-year-old daughter he leaves behind. "She asks every day. It starts in the morning until she goes to bed. I've told her that something bad has happened, but that Daddy's always with her, and he's always watching her, and she can talk to him anytime," she explained.
Judge McRae held all four charges against Jeremy Ball over to trial. His bail was set at $450,000. Ball’s next scheduled court date is May 5th at 8:30AM. Jeremy Ball’s family members and lawyer both declined comment after today’s preliminary hearing.
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