Updated March 4, 2013: Authorities have dismissed the case against a teenager charged in the death of his mother's boyfriend.
Justin Bates, 17, had been charged with first degree assault for an incident in Noel, Missouri this past November.
Investigators say Mark Pettry and Bates' mother were arguing when Bates arrived to pick up his younger siblings.
Bates and Pettry began fighting and Pettry was killed.
A jury found there was not enough evidence to try Bates for murder or assault.
Posted November 28, 2012: A McDonald County teenager has plead not guilty to first degree assault after police say he beat up his mom's boyfriend, killing him.
The McDonald County Sheriff's Office says after 6 p.m. on Monday (November 26) they were called to a rural Noel, Missouri home where paramedics found homeowner Mark Pettry unresponsive.
Authorities say they were told Pettry and his girlfriend, Laura Bates, got into an altercation at the home at 683 Pack Road.
A McDonald County deputy says Bates's daughter called her biological father to come pick her up at the home, but it was her brother, Justin Bates, who came to get her.
Court documents say Justin Bates, age 17, and Mark Pettry got into a fight. Pettry was struck in the face, possibly kicked in the face and torso, and fell to the ground. Pettry was knocked unconscious and not breathing, and did not recover.
After numerous attempts to revive him Pettry was pronounced dead.
At the deputy's request Bates returned to the scene of the incident and was arrested.
Bates has been charged with first degree assault. He plead not guilty during today's arraignment.
An autopsy is being performed on Pettry today.
A bond has been set for $2,500, cash only.
Justin Bates
Mark Pettry
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