The Butler County Coroner’s Office completed the autopsy Monday but did not release findings until Thursday. The autopsy shows that Powell was stabbed twice in the left side of the chest and he died of internal injuries, said coroner’s investigator Andy Willis.
The incident occurred the night of Sept. 30 at The Village Inn, a neighborhood bar at the corner of North Second Street and Hensel Place. Witnesses said the stabbing occurred after a fight broke out between Powell and Ashdown. Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser, who complimented the Hamilton Police Department for a thorough investigation, said Ashdown did not brandish a knife until after getting beat up.
Members of Powell’s family said they plan to file a civil suit against Ashdown and hope to present new evidence to the prosecutor.
“A momma should never have to bury her son,” said Powell’s mother Maggie Still. “My son is dead. We will never see or talk to him again. I don’t feel like the system did anything for him.”
The family is scheduling fundraisers to help defray costs for the funeral, which is tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Webb Noonan Kidd Funeral Home.
All of the $5 admission cost tonight at the Meister Haus German Lodge, 1550 W. Main St., will be used to help pay the funeral bill, said Powell’s sister Tonya Hancock.
“I’m hoping that we can get Stevie laid to rest and then focus our attentions on getting another lawyer,” Hancock said. “
Donations can also be made to a memorial fund account set up in Steve A. Powell’s name at Chaco Credit Union.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4542 or rwilson@coxohio.com.
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