Surviving victim to undergo surgery after deadly heroin-related attack

The surviving victim of last Friday’s alleged armed robbery in South Lebanon is expected to undergo surgery for head injuries sustained in the attack, a prosecutor said.

Ronnie Power remained in critical condition and is to undergo surgery for what Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell referred to as a “major, major head injury.”

Deborah Power, 63, of South Lebanon was pronounced dead from head injuries Sept. 15 at the Powers’ home in South Lebanon.

Both Powers were beaten “in the head with a blunt force object,” Fornshell added this morning.

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Christopher Kirby, 38, and his wife, Jaqueline Kirby, 30, are charged with murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery in the case. The Kirbys were living with the Powers.

They are accused of beating the Powers to buy heroin, according to Fornshell.

Authorities are still trying to verify they have the murder weapon.

On Thursday, Christopher Kirby pleaded guilty to driving under suspension during a hearing Thursday in Warren County Court.

Judge William Wolff ordered Kirby to pay court costs associated with the driving violation, but waived any fines or jail time “under the circumstances.”

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Wolff, a retired judge appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court, also bound over for consideration by a grand jury charges of murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery against the Kirbys during the hearing in court in Lebanon.

The driving under suspension case, filed on Aug. 22, predates the incident Sept. 15 that resulted in the murder and other charges.

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It was filed on Aug. 22, but Christopher Kirby had never appeared until his arrest in connection with the murder case, according to court records.

The couple is suspected of using Ronnie Power’s truck to get to West Chester Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for head injuries he allegedly received from them, forming the basis for the attempted murder charges.

Power’s condition remained critical Friday, according to Fornshell.

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Power’s 1994 Dodge Ram was found in the parking lot of West Chester Hospital on Sept. 16, the day after the Kirbys are suspected of beating the Powers during a robbery at the house at 59 W. Broadway in South Lebanon, where they all lived.

Deborah Power was found under a blanket on Sept. 15 and “cold to the touch with blood underneath” by sheriff’s deputies called to a home at 59 W. Broadway in South Lebanon just before midnight Sept. 15, according to a search warrant.

On Tuesday, Wolff set bond for the Kirbys at $250,000 each. They remained in the Warren County Jail on Friday.

Fornshell indicated the case would not be presented to the grand jury today.

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