Two Men Indicted for Manslaughter in Jefferson Co.

Booking photos at the Jefferson County Jail of Thomas Davis, and Rusty Stevens.Photo byChloë Mesogitis/WTOV9

JEFFERSON COUNTY, OHIO

The Jefferson County Grand Jury handed down indictments against two men on charges of manslaughter and assault, 54-year-old Rusty Lee Stevens, and 27-year-old Thomas Wiley Davis, both of Brilliant, Ohio.

The two men were originally indicted on charges of murder and felonious assault in connection with the death of 57-year-old Randy Clinard, Steubenville resident earlier this year on Sunday April 30th, 2023. Clinard was killed at a home along Hill Street in Wells Township on that April morning.

Jail photo of Rusty Lee Stevens.Photo byLinda Harris/Herald Star

There were issues at the corners office when they could not specify the exact cause of death so there were no autopsy reports given. "They took pictures, took photos, took statements and what information they had on a deceased white male who was in the living room laying on the floor,” Rob Alexander, with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, said.

With the statements gathered and the investigation underway the Jefferson County Sheriff did state that alcohol seemed to play a roll in this situation but he did not alaberate too much on the details. With this information a Dillionvale Court found both Davis and Stevens to have probable cause in the case as they were both bound over.

Jail photo of Thomas Wiley Davis.Photo byLinda Harris/Herald Star

Prosecutor Jane Hanlin said charges against the pair were reduced based on autopsy reports stating there was “more than one contributing cause” to Clinard’s death.

Thomas Davis, and Rusty Stevens appear in court again after manslaughter indictments.Photo byBill Steinbach/WTOV9

Stevens has been indicted on one count of voluntary manslaughter, and two counts of felonious assault. While Davis on the other hand has been indicted on one count of involuntary manslaughter, and one count of felonious assault. The original trial date was postponed as a result of the new Indictments, a new trial date has not yet been scheduled.