Beating leads to murder charge

March 8– Charged with second degree murder, a Saltillo man accused of fatally injuring his uncle in a beating has been released from the Hardin County Jail on a $50,000 bond, according to a General Sessions Court official.

Initially facing prosecution for domestic violence regarding the Feb. 1 altercation, the murder charge against 35-year-old James Christopher was added last Thursday and he turned himself in as agreed the following day, the arresting officer said.

Paul Scott, 57, died at The Med in Memphis on Feb. 25 after receiving what part-time Saltillo Police officer John Youngson described as "massive" injuries at Christopher’s hands.

 

Youngson, who is also the chief of police in Crump, said Christopher and Scott had argued about a car stuck in a residential yard at the intersection of Tenn. 69 and Bingham Road in Saltillo, leading to the physical confrontation.

Christopher is represented by Savannah attorney Chad Hunt, who was in court this morning and not immediately available for comment.