Grants Pass, Ore — No charges will be filed after the death of a Grants Pass man after a violent fight with his brother as the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office says there was no wrongdoing.
On June 8th of this year police responded to a call of a fight between two brothers on Saratoga way in Grants Pass.
When they arrived, one of the brothers was on the ground, unconscious.
Oregon State Police say 53-year-old Stephen Messer and his older brother Donald were fighting when Stephen Messer collapsed and later died.
An investigation was launched into whether Donald had caused his brother’s death.
But despite physical wounds to Stephen Messer’s body, the Josephine County DA’s office found no grounds to charge Donald Messer with any crimes.
“The apparent head injuries that were suffered as a result of the physical altercation with his brother Donald Messer were not life threatening so he died of acute methamphetamine intoxication, he also had heart issues,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Lisa Turner.
Turner says the DA’s office considered filing assault charges against Donald Messer.
According to witness statements and autopsy results found reason to believe Donald Messer had acted in self defense. The case is now closed.
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