DOMESTIC DISPUTE ENDS IN MANSLAUGHTER
DOMESTIC DISPUTE ENDS IN MANSLAUGHTER
On Tuesday July 8, 2014 at 11:27pm BHDPS Officers responded to 802 E. Vineyard for an assault complaint. Upon arrival officers observed a female who was lying on the ground in the front yard. She was unresponsive with no pulse. The female was identified as PATRICIA ANN NICHOLS of Benton Harbor. Officers also made contact with two male subjects at the scene who were identified as Donte Nichols (age 23) and Jamyran Lee Scott Roberson (age 21). Patricia Nichols was the mother of Donte Nichols. Jamyran Roberson and Donte Nichols have been involved in a long term romantic relationship. On this date an argument erupted between Donte and Jamyran. Jamyran escalated the conflict by attacking Donte, grasping him around the throat assaulting him. The argument was in regarding the custodial supervision of a mutual juvenile cousin. During Jamyran’s assault on Donte, Patricia Nichols attempted to intervene and break up attack while Jamyran's was choking her son. The incident spilled from inside the home the front porch. As Patricia was attempting to separate the subjects, Jamyran forcefully shoved her causing her to fall from the porch head first onto the concrete walkway. Patricia Nichols was pronounced dead at the scene from unknown injuries. A forensic autopsy is set for today.
Jamyran Roberson was arrested without incident and lodged in the Berrien County Jail on one count of Domestic Violence by Strangulation and one count of Involuntary Manslaughter.
