MORE: Police: Fireworks dispute leads to murder charge for Middletown man
Middletown Municipal Court Judge James Sherron set bond for Kenneth Roesch, 36, of Middletown. He allegedly stabbed Carlton Brock, 41, of Middletown, in the upper torso around 10:30 p.m. Friday in the 2100 block of Arlington Avenue, police said. Brock walked several feet and collapsed in the alley from his injuries, police said. Brock died that night at Atrium Medical Center, police said.
The Warren County Coroner’s Office performed an autopsy, but results were not released Monday, officials said.
Roesch’s preliminary hearing was set for July 15, and he was appointed attorney Kathleen Batliner.
Police said Roesch, when interviewed at the police station Friday night, confessed to the stabbing. Roesch is accused of stabbing Brock with a black lock pocket knife, according to the statement of facts that was read during his arraignment.
Leena Clair, Brock’s sister, said she was “glad” Sherron set the the bond so high. Now she wants “justice served” for her brother.
Two years ago, Brock “took a wrong turn” and was told by his mother to enter a drug rehabilitation center in Middletown, according to his sister.
MORE: Sister of Butler County man stabbed to death wants ‘justice served’
She thought Brock, 41, was turning his life around.
The investigation revealed that Roesch had been setting off fireworks in the rear of the home when he was confronted by Brock, who was upset about the fireworks, police said. But neighbors on the street said the altercation had nothing to do with fireworks.
Neighbors said Roesch and Brock were known to live in the area. Brock stayed in a detached garage in the 1200 block of Arlington Avenue, residents said. They said there was an altercation after Brock was told Roesch was getting into the garage.
Angie Hall, who lives near where the stabbing occurred, described Brock as “a really good guy.” She said he wasn’t aggressive.
“He didn’t deserve this,” she told this news agency.
Since 2013, Roesch has been charged 12 times by Middletown police, according to court records. Some of those charges include drug abuse/fentanyl, drug abuse/methamphetamine, petty theft and assault.
Clair, 46, said her brother, a 1995 Hamilton High School graduate, was an avid softball player. He had moved into a Middletown apartment about two years ago, then into a detached garage on Arlington Avenue two months ago.
She said her mother was notified by a text message Friday night that her son was involved in an altercation. Another text said her son had died.
Clair drove her mother to Atrium Medical Center, and they were transported to the Middletown Division of Police Department, where they were interviewed by a detective. It wasn’t until 2:30 a.m. Saturday — an estimated four hours after the stabbing — they were told Brock had died.
“Very shocked,” Clair said of her reaction.
About the Author
