Kerg
Courtesy of the Miami County Sheriff’s Office
By Sam Wildow
TROY — A Tipp City man previously facing a felonious assault charge for an incident that left a woman unconscious in April is now facing both murder and felonious assault charges after the victim passed away.
Joshua T. Kerg, 33, was arraigned on a murder charge on Monday in Miami County Common Pleas Court. Kerg was indicted following the death of Sheila G. Davis, 67, who later passed away on Sept. 27. Kerg is also still facing a charge of second-degree felonious assault, which is the second count in the indictment against him.
Kerg was first charged with second-degree felonious assault following the assault against Davis that occurred on April 27 on the 700 block of Kyle Drive in Tipp City. According to previous reports, a caller to Miami County 9-1-1 reported around 11:30 a.m. on April 27 that a man was assaulting someone in the front yard of the residence. Upon arrival, Tipp City Police units and Miami County Sheriff’s Office deputies found Davis lying in the front yard of the home.
According to Tipp City police reports, Kerg assaulted Davis by carrying her outside the home where he began to “punch Sheila with his bare fists until she was unconscious.”
In his statement to the courts, Tipp City Police Detective Sgt. Chris Graham said he learned a video of the attack existed. Upon viewing the video, Graham said, “I could see Joshua beat Sheila after she was unconscious.”
A witness intervened prior to the arrival of law enforcement and stopped Kerg from beating Davis. Kerg then retreated to the garage of the home where he laid down. He was taken into custody by Tipp City Police.
Following the assault, Davis was transported to Miami Valley Hospital by Tipp City Emergency Medical Services. Davis was in a coma following the assault.
Prior to Davis’ death, Kerg had entered a plea of no contest to the charge of felonious assault on Sept. 10. He had been scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Oct. 25 until the Miami County Prosecutor’s Office requested a continuance on Oct. 20. Kerg was also previously determined to be competent to stand trial and sane at the time of the incident following earlier court hearings in August.
Kerg pleaded not guilty on Monday. Kerg is continuing to be held in the Miami County Jail, where he has been incarcerated since April 27. Kerg is being held on a total bond of $600,000.
