Paul Schofield Jr., the man originally charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide in the death of Edward Morris, was sentenced on Friday to one year of probation, In addition to the year of probation Schofield will pay a $1,000 in restitution and undergo a substance abuse evaluation according to court records.
Schofield was awaiting trial when prosecutors reduced the charges to third-degree assault in a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor and faced up to one year in prison and a maximum of a $2,300 fine.
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Wilmington Police have arrested and charged a man in connection with a death that occurred in the Forty Acres part of Wilmington police said Tuesday.
On April 29 at approximately 9:58 p.m., police responded to the 1900 block of North Scott Street in reference to an injured person. The victim, who was identified as 53-year-old Edward Morris of Newark, was transported to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The death investigation was assigned to Detective Brianna Rodrigues of the Criminal Investigations Division. Through the course of her investigation, Detective Rodrigues determined that an altercation occurred which resulted in the death of Morris police said.
Following a further investigation in conjunction with the Delaware Division of Forensic Sciences and the Delaware Department of Justice, investigators presented the case before the New Castle County Grand Jury on September 26. The Grand Jury returned an indictment against 57-year-old Paul Schofield Jr., who was taken into custody today, on the following charges:
- Criminally Negligent Homicide
- Assault (Second Degree)
He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 20 and was released after posting $5,000 secured bail.