Venango County Man Held for Court in Deadly Assault

Jake Bauer

Jake Bauer

Published March 23, 2017 4:21 am
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OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — An Oil City man was held for court Wednesday on involuntary manslaughter and related charges.

Joel Stuart Rinker, 23, is facing the following charges in connection with a deadly July 2016 assault in Oil City:

  • Aggravated Assault, Felony 1
  • Involuntary Manslaughter, Misdemeanor 1

Rinker Allegedly Assaults Oil City Man

According to a criminal complaint filed on July 29, 2016, Oil City Police Officers were sent to the 200 block of Pine Street around 10:00 p.m., on Thursday, July 7, for a report of a man lying in the street. The known man — later identified as 44-year-old Jerry Buck of Oil City — was sent to UPMC Northwest for treatment. He was transferred to UPMC Hamot in Erie after hospital personnel determined he had bleeding on his brain.

Witnesses said Buck had been intoxicated and was making vulgar remarks to people in the East End neighborhood. Police said Joel S. Rinker intervened and told the man to stop before returning to his porch, the complaint indicates.

According to the complaint, Buck approached Rinker again and continued to make remarks before Rinker allegedly jumped off the porch and punched Buck in the face hard enough for him to fall backward and strike his head on the street. It is alleged that Rinker then climbed on top of Buck and started hitting him again. Once he realized Buck was unconscious, he stopped punching him.

Rinker then allegedly dragged Buck across the street and laid him on the sidewalk instead of calling for help, the complaint states.

Victim Succumbs to Injuries

Buck’s brother told Oil City police Chief Bob Wenner in July 2016 that Buck remained hospitalized at UPMC Hamot and his condition had not improved as he continued to suffer from mini-strokes.

The head injury also resulted in an induced coma and the placement of a stent.

His condition continued to deteriorate over the next four months.

A criminal complaint filed on March 8, 2017, indicated that Buck succumbed to his injuries and passed away on November 22, 2016.

Dr. Eric Vey performed an autopsy on Buck on November 23, 2016, at the Erie County Coroner’s office.

It was determined that Buck died as a result of traumatic brain injury.

Charges Held for Court

On Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Venango County District, Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey ruled that there was enough evidence against Rinker to hold all charges for court.

The case has been transferred to the Venango County Court of Common Pleas.

Rinker, who is being represented by Attorney Michael J. Antkowiak of Franklin, remains free on $75,000.00 unsecured bail.

Photo courtesy Facebook.

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