Men Indicted in Deadly Beating of Local College Student

Two men face charges in the beating death of a West Virginia college senior who hailed from Bucks County, Pa.

Two people were indicted earlier this week on charges stemming from the death of Wheeling Jesuit University student Kevin Figaniak last summer.

Media outlets report that an Ohio County grand jury indicted 22-year-old Craig Tyler Peacock of Clewiston, Fla., on a murder charge on Monday.

The grand jury also charged 24-year-old Jarrett Mathis Chandler of Winnfield, La., with misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors say the 21-year-old victim was beaten during an argument on Aug. 31, 2013. Figaniak died from his injuries the next day.

The defendants remain in custody at the Northern Regional Jail on $1 million each.

Figaniak hailed from Perkasie, Bucks County, Pa. Pennridge High School principal Dr. Thomas Creeden said in a statement that the entire school community was "saddened and shocked" by the "horrific death."

"Kevin was an outstanding young man with a high level of energy and a very competitive nature. Kevin was a hardworking student with a love for ice hockey and lacrosse. He continued that eagerness for competition through his college years..."

Figaniak played both lacrosse and hockey while majoring in business at Wheeling Jesuit where he was set to graduate this spring.

“Kevin spent the last three years at Wheeling Jesuit forging friendships and in his final hours, Kevin was surrounded by those friends and his family, who, through their love and prayers, brought Kevin home to Jesus,” said WJU president Rev. James Fleming in a prepared statement.

Figaniak and his friend were attacked by a group of three to four men along Locust Avenue in a residential neighborhood near some bars and restaurants. Figaniak's friend suffered some bumps and bruises, according police.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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