Man critical following assault


Thursday, January 25, 2007
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Man critical following assault

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

John Norton, 76, of the Barton community, is in critical condition at the Memphis Med following a severe physical assault, according to Sheriff Kenny Dickerson.

It occurred behind his home at 308 Clark Road, Friday, Jan. 19.

Officers and medics were called to the scene after Norton was found lying near the back door of his home around 9:40 p.m., he said.

“He had been severely beaten in the head and had lacerations to the throat area,” Dickerson said.

Norton has undergone surgery.

He is a widely known four-wheeler mechanic who has worked on the vehicles for years in a shop behind his residence, according to Dickerson.

“We are in dire need of information or anything anybody might hear and we encourage them to pass it on to us,” Dickerson said.

So far investigators have no leads in the case after talking with residents in the community, he said.

Investigators are looking at robbery as a possible motive for the attack on Norton, he said.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the sheriff’s department at 662-252-1311 or 662-851-7600 immediately.

All information brought in will be kept strictly confidential, Dickerson said.

Investigators have reason to believe Norton had lain on the ground for several hours before he was found but are not sure when the assault occurred, he said.

Dickerson said the assault is one of the worst he’s seen.

“We’re hoping he will live,” he said. “It’s just a miracle he lived, they said at the Med.”

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