MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A Memphis man is behind bars after a former employee died from a beating he received when caught stealing from the business.
According to the police affidavit, on Wednesday, October 10, Ernest Dean McCoy, 46, had just returned to his appliance repair business he runs from his home when he saw former employee Rance Goforth running from the garage. McCoy said he saw several items stacked up in front of the building that Goforth was in the process of stealing and chased him down, then punched and kicked him repeatedly.
Goforth was transported to The MED in critical condition and identified McCoy as the person who beat him. He later died from internal injuries due to blunt force trauma to his upper body.
Investigators noted in the affidavit that McCoy and Goforth had been friends for 15 years, and Goforth had worked for McCoy five years; Goforth was fired the morning of October 10 when he didn't show up for work.
McCoy was arrested on October 23 and charged with Second Degree Murder. He is being held at the Shelby County Jail on $500,000 bond.
