Wanda English Burnett
Editor
Shawn
Clift, 19, of Osgood, was arrested following a beating incident,
which occurred May 1 involving another Osgood teenager. Clift
pled not guilty to Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury,
Class C Felony, Monday morning, May 10 in Ripley County Circuit
Court.
According to information from court records, Clift is charged
with the felony following an investigation by Osgood Town Marshal
John Hegge.
Thomas Walston, 18, suffered serious wounds including a broken
jaw and crushed eye socket, after Clift allegedly beat him.
Photos of Walston immediately after the battery showed his face
severely swollen and beaten so badly his own mother barely recognized
him. I dont know why anyone would do this,
the victims mother told the Osgood Journal as she
held a photo of her son that was taken shortly after his arrival
at University Hospital in Cincinnati.
According to the affidavit, Walston received a call from Bobby
Roberts asking him if he wanted to hang out with him and his
girlfriend. About 9:45 p.m. May 1 Roberts and the girl picked
up Walston, who said Roberts asked him if he wanted to look
at some speakers in the vehicle.
The driver stopped the vehicle on 650 West and Walston and Roberts
got out. At this time, Walston was ambushed by Clift, who had
been hiding in some bushes. Clift is alleged to have beaten
Walston and even after the victim had tried to run away, he
was caught by Clift and hit again until he was unconscious.
Information from court records indicate that Roberts called
Walston to get him to the designated place because Clift wanted
to fight him.
There were several involved in the incident. Jimmy Maloney is
also mentioned in the affidavit for saying he knew there was
going to be a fight and stated he was there, but was highly
intoxicated. He said he saw Clift hit Walston in the head
and also chase him down when he tried to flee.
The female driver told police she dropped off Jimmy Maloney,
Shawn Clift and another person at the 650 West location, before
she and Roberts went to pick up Walston.
Clift admitted to police that it was his intention to fight
Walston and that he did indeed punch him. He said Walston fell
and struck his face on the pavement and he was the only person
who punched him that night.
Walston was left after the beating with the rest going back
to Maloneys house according to one witness. Walston eventually
walked to his home on Fairgrounds Road, which is approximately
two miles, according to his mother.
Rescue personnel were called, but due to weather conditions
that night were not able to transport Walston by helicopter.
He was transported by ground to Margaret Mary Community Hospital
and then on to University Hospital in Cincinnati. He faces extensive
plastic surgery from the battery.
A trial by jury has been set for Clift for October 26. Bail
was set at $25,000 with Mark Jones appointed his attorney. If
convicted, Clift could face up to eight years in prison and
a $10,000 fine.
Prosecutor Ric Hertel noted that the investigation is ongoing
in the case.