News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Man Admits Guilt in Putnam Tavern Assault

(ZANESVILLE, OHIO)

Tydell Butcher, 36, of Zanesville, admitted his guilt Tuesday for assaulting a man at a local establishment.

His jury trial was set to start at nine the same morning. Instead, Butcher appeared before Judge Cottrill and admitted guilt to Attempted Assault, a felony of the third-degree.

Butcher is facing up to three (3) years in prison for the assault.

Two previous trials on this case ended in mistrials as jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. During previous trials the defense had offered testimony from friends of Butcher that a racial slur was used, as a way to justify Butcher’s actions.

One witness claimed that she did not know the victim but recognized the victim’s voice and heard the slur, even though she was ten feet away from the attack, there was a DJ playing music, she had her back to the bar, and the victim had his back to her.

“Her claim about hearing a slur defies reason and common sense but her willingness to stick to such a remarkably dumb statement shows just how far some people are willing to go to prevent justice,” said Prosecutor Ron Welch.

The State countered that testimony with independent testimony from a witness that did not know the victim and who was sitting right next to victim at the time of the attack. Her testimony very clearly established that no slur was said. Further, in reviewing the video, the reaction of other people sitting next to the victim was not consistent with hearing a racial slur.

“Our office does not and would never condone the use of any slurs against anyone but the law in Ohio establishes that insults and slurs are not a defense to viciously assaulting another person.” said Prosecuting Attorney Ron Welch.

Video from the incident showed that around 1:30 am on July 7, 2024, Butcher was at the Putnam Tavern. The same night, the victim of his unprovoked attack was having a beer and sitting in a stool facing the bar crowd.

A female with Butcher then goes up beside the man sitting at the bar to speak to the bartender. Shortly after, Butcher goes to the bar as well.

Butcher and the victim interact for a moment during which Butcher asks the victim what he is looking at. The victim responded that he’s just observing. After walking away from the bar area Butcher then steps forward and hits the victim, knocking him unconscious. Butcher and the female with him immediately left the bar.

A 911 call was made requesting an ambulance and Zanesville Police were dispatched to the scene. When officers arrived, they were told by people outside the bar that the victim was “sucker punched” and “Butcher” is who hit him.

Officers recovered video from the scene and were able to observe the victim sitting at the bar when Butcher steps forward and delivers a vicious strike to the face knocking the victim unconscious.

The victim was transported to Genesis where he was found to have sustained several fractures on his face from the attack, including his eye socket and right cheekbone area.

Welch added that “The video clearly shows the defendant hitting an unsuspecting person. This type of unwarranted attack is cowardly and requires a substantial punishment. This resolution will allow the victim to move forward and focus on recovery.”

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