NO AUTOPSY ON VAGRANT "CROW" SMITH - Juveniles Reportedly Beat And Kicked Clay Man

(04/12/2003)

By Bob Weaver Joey "Crow" Smith, 38, of Clay died this week in CAMC from injuries to his brain. He will be buried today. (See earlier stories in the Herald) The well known alcoholic and street fixture, who perched himself on a pillar on Clay's Main Street in front of the old courthouse, was apparently attacked by several juveniles last week. The Clay Police Department reportedly has names of juvenile participants, put the Herald learned no autopsy was performed on the vagrant. The attack on "Crow," described as kicking and beatings, happened a day before he fell down some steps at a shack where he was staying. There are indications the Medical Examiner's office will be ruling he died from injuries related to the fall, which could mean the end of a criminal investigation. Clay Police Chief "Buckshot" Butcher told the Clay Communicator he has spent 30 hours on the case, including the taking of statements. Officer Butcher told the Communicator he turned in his report to Prosecutor Daniel Grindo for action. The Communicator says "Many in the community feel that nothing will be done about the death."

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