BENTON – A Franklin County man is facing Murder and other charges following what was reported to be a domestic violence incident recently in rural West Frankfort.
Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon says just after 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, a regional hospital notified the sheriff’s office that someone privately brought a subject to their emergency room for treatment of injuries sustained in a domestic violence incident. The injuries were described as significant, and the subject’s condition was listed as critical.
Patrol deputies and sheriff’s office detectives were provided with an address in rural West Frankfort where the incident was alleged to have happened. They soon responded and located 36-year-old Kyle G. Morris, of West Frankfort, outside the home. He was the victim’s brother.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a verbal altercation happened between Morris and his brother, 46-year-old Justin D. Hauptman of West Frankfort. Morris struck Hauptman in the head.
Morris was arrested and taken to the Franklin County Jail. He was charged with Aggravated Battery and Domestic Battery.
Due to the significant injuries received by Hauptman, Franklin County State’s Attorney Abby Dinn argued for the continued detention of Morris, and it was granted by the court.
Then around 6:20 a.m. Wednesday, the hospital contacted the sheriff’s office saying that Hauptman had died from his injuries. An autopsy done after his death listed the cause of death as “blunt force trauma of the head. As a result, Kyle G. Morris was charged with the additional offense of Murder. He remains lodged in the Franklin County Jail.
This case is being investigated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services and the Jackson County Coroner’s Office.
