Morris E. Grimes admitted punching Faron Rosendale once.
Rosendale was found unconscious inside Grandpa's Used Furniture (10112
East Truman Road) Monday morning around 8:20. Rosendale was stiff and soaked with beer, and the store was torn up (tables and furniture overturned and a mirror
broken) with beer bottles scattered around.
Rosendale died Wednesday at North Kansas City Hospital, according to the
Star.
Depending on what the autopsy says, prosecutors could up the charges
against Grimes. So far, he's charged with second-degree assault.
The owner of the store, Leroy Dillon, told police that he thought
his grandson, Grimes, was drinking with Rosendale at the store and the
two got into a fight. Dillon also noticed the store's cash box had also
been emptied.
Officers traced the 35-year-old Grimes to a
residence at 916 South Willis, but he'd already left. Two witnesses told
police that Grimes admitted fighting with Rosendale at the store.
Police
picked up Grimes, and he admitted drinking a couple of 12 packs with
Rosendale at the store. But Grimes claimed Rosendale became "vulgar" and
started tipping over tables and throwing things. Grimes claimed that he
tried to calm Rosendale down, but he kept breaking things. So Grimes
hit him once. Rosendale went down. Grimes checked Rosendale, and he was
breathing. So he poured beer on him.
Grimes then took money from
the cash along with Rosendale's car keys, locked the doors of the store
and left.
Grimes has a couple of priors. He pleaded guilty to
felony domestic assault in January 2003 and April 2004.
