Kibler: Stice Death is Not First Degree Murder Case

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said the death of Corey Stice of Effingham is not a first degree murder case.

Stice died Thursday of a severe injury he received during an altercation in a house in the 1000 block of West Edgar Tuesday afternoon. 

Kibler said an investigation into the incident indicates that Robert Pendergast of Effingham put Stice in a choke hold, injuring Stice. He said four individuals were in the house drinking most of the day and something happened to trigger the altercation that led to Pendergast's actions.

Kibler said authorities have 48 hours after someone is taken into custody before they have to be charged or released. He said Stice was still alive at the time he charged Pendergast with aggravated battery. Since Stice has died, Kibler said he will continue to review the case, but said the elements of first degree murder do not exist in this case. He said he doesn't anticipate more charges at this time, but said he is still awaiting toxicology test results and other information. He also said there are "a lot of mitigating circumstances" in the case.