Thompson’s grandson, Justice Rollins, 19, is the only suspect in her death, according to Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll.
Rollins was indicted in Clark County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday on charges of murder and felonious assault in relation to Thompson’s death.
He was arrested on Aug. 12 after Springfield Police were dispatched to the 300 block of North Isabella Street on reports of an assault, according to an affidavit filed in the case.
At the scene, officers interviewed Thompson, who was awake and conscious. She told officers she was, “arguing with (Rollins) when he began beating and choking Thompson’s small dogs,” the affidavit said.
Thompson said she asked Rollins to stop, and he became irate, the affidavit said.
According to the affidavit and online court records, Rollins has been arrested for violence against Thompson in the past. The two lived together and often argued, the affidavit said.
After arguing about the dogs, Thompson said Rollins then allegedly began punching her about the head and face while they were inside the house, the affidavit said. During the assault, Thompson said Rollins took her phone and the two ran out the front door where they continued to argue.
“Thompson was walking down a large concrete set of stairs in front of her residence. She stated that Rollins came up behind her and punched her in the head, knocking her down,” the affidavit said. “When Thompson fell down, she hit her head on the bottom concrete step, causing her to lose consciousness.”
Rollins fled the scene after Thompson lost consciousness, according to the affidavit. A witness who came to Thompson’s aid after she fell, called police.
Thompson was transported by a medic to Springfield Regional Medical Center with, “cuts and severe swelling about her head and face, especially above her left eye, she also had a laceration on the top of her head.”
Driscoll said Thompson was transferred to Miami Valley Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Thompson was born and raised in Mechanicsburg, according to her obituary, and graduated from Mechanicsburg High School in 1970.
To family and friends, Thompson is remembered as “an avid Bengals fan and a loving and devoted mother and grandmother,” her obituary said. She is survived by her three daughters, 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, her brother and several nieces and nephews.
Her funeral services were held on Aug. 21 at Skillman, McDonald & Vernon Funeral Home.
Rollins' next court date has not yet been scheduled.
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