Dayton man pleads guilty in attack of great-uncle who later died from injuries

PREBLE COUNTY — A Dayton man pleaded guilty to reduced charges in the attack of his 88-year-old great-uncle, who later died from injuries.

Jeffery R. Hardin Jr. , 28, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter Wednesday, according to the Preble County Prosecutor’s Office.

Hardin was initially charged with attempted murder, aggravated burglary, felonious assault and vandalism, court records show.

The other charges were dropped as a result of the plea.

On Aug. 23, he threatened to kill John Hardin, his great-uncle, multiple times after using an SUV to ram the garage of his great-uncle’s Germantown Road home, according to court documents.

Hardin also reportedly drove to an East Factory Road home and punched a resident, took their gun and fired two shots in the ground before giving it back.

He was reportedly intoxicated at the time.

His great-uncle died Sept. 29, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

Hardin is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 5.