A Mercer County grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging a 52-year-old Ewing Township man with the March 2018 homicide of 58-year-old Jeffrey Pageau, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
According to authorities. Howard Buckalew was indicted on one count of first-degree aggravated manslaughter. He remains in the Mercer County Correction Center.
Officials say at approximately 8:33 p.m. on March 24, 2018, Hamilton Township police responded to the first block of Hartman Drive on a report of a disturbance.
Upon arrival, they located Pageau, who was bleeding from his head and laying on a cement patio at the rear of the residence.
Authorities say he was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. Pageau remained in the hospital and died from his injuries on March 31.
Witnesses reported that Buckalew confronted Pageau and physically drove him off the porch, causing him to fall onto the cement patio and strike his head.
The investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Hamilton Township Police Department resulted in charges against Buckalew.
Despite having been indicted, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.