Prosecutor stiffens charge in Coy case

Ronald Glen Coy

Nodaway County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Rice on Thursday amended a second-degree domestic assault charge against a local man accused of badly beating his elderly father.

The alleged attack took place June 27 at a residence in the 300 block of East Eighth Street in Maryville.

Instead of domestic assault, Ronald G. Coy, 61, now stands accused of first-degree elder abuse, a Class A felony punishable by a state prison term of between 10 and 30 years.

The original charge carried a sentencing range of two to seven years in prison, a one-year term in the county jail, or a fine of up to $5,000.

Rice said he decided to bring the more serious charge due to the reported victim’s advanced age as well as hospital records reflecting the seriousness of his injuries.

Court documents state that the father, age 87, suffered fractures to his nose and face during the assault, when he was allegedly pushed, knocked down and repeatedly kicked.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Maryville Public Safety Officer Sarah Kahmann, the victim, identified in court records as V.C., told her, “I got beat up” and named his son as the attacker.

“He’s put me in the hospital before,” Kahmann quoted V.C. as saying.

In addition, Kahmann cited hospital records referencing the June 27 incident that record V.C. saying, “The boy beat the hell out of me.”

As reported earlier, Kahmann was dispatched to the residence after the alleged attack and reported finding V.C. sitting in a chair with his face “visibly cut and bloody.”

At that time, the victim, who also reportedly had blood on his hands, told Kahmann that his son “Ronnie” had assaulted him during an argument over spoiled meat.

V.C.’s injuries were sufficiently serious enough that he was taken to the St. Francis Hospital emergency room.

According to Kahmann’s report, a nurse at Golden Living Center, where Coy was found soon after the alleged attack, told her the suspect admitted striking his father in the jaw, possibly breaking it.

Upon initial contact with the suspect, Kahmann stated, Coy claimed his father had “jumped” him.

As of Thursday afternoon, Coy remained in custody at the Nodaway County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.

In setting bond, a judge issued a protection order barring Coy, should he be released, from communicating with the reported victim or coming within 900 feet of V.C.’s residence.