Pottsville police filed charges Wednesday against a city man in connection with a March 6 assault that eventually led to the death of another man.
Police said Roy T. Snowell, 59, of 655 John O'Hara St., must appear before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, on the misdemeanor charge of simple assault.
The charge stems from an incident in the 500 block of Laurel Terrace to which officers were called for a fight about 4:35 p.m.
Police said that officers found Mark J. Schriner Sr., 36, of 664 John O'Hara St., in the area of building No. 545 of the Laurel Terrace Complex lying on his back on the sidewalk, breathing but unconscious with a small laceration on the left side of his chin.
Schriner was taken by ambulance to the Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.
According to police, doctors found that Schriner suffered a skull fracture and internal bleeding, and they sent him by helicopter to the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for further treatment.
Schriner died of his injuries on March 12, police said.
An autopsy at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Samuel Land determined Schriner suffered the skull fracture on the back of his head that led to a fatal brain injury.
In an affidavit of probable cause, police said the investigation determined that Schriner and Snowell were arguing which led to fist fight, initiated by Schriner when he advanced toward Snowell and punched him.
Snowell retaliated with one punch to Schriner's chin, knocking him backward where he struck his head off the cement sidewalk.
After reviewing the results of the investigation that included interviews with eight witness and a review of medical reports, Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman directed police to pursue the simple assault charge against Snowell, police said.
Officers said Snowell is also charged with disorderly conduct, also a misdemeanor offense, because his actions caused a substantial harm or serious inconvenience to the public.