Man in Coma After Beaten with Piece of Wood
INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County prosecutors say 36-year-old Brandon Eaton is facing 40 years in prison for assaulting a man in the stairwell of his apartment, which is on Prospect Street, near East Morris Street and Woodlawn Avenue, in Fountain Square. It happened in January 2024.
Eaton knocked on Joshua Burton’s front door on January 28th around 3:30 a.m., according to Burton’s wife, Christina Burton. She says Eaton asked to use the bathroom, but Joshua denied his request and closed the door.
According to court documents, around 5:30 a.m., Joshua went to walk their dogs. He was then beaten with a piece of wood by Eaton, who then ran off.
Burton was bleeding, and he told his wife to call police.
His wife says Joshua was in bad shape and underwent two brain surgeries. Court documents say doctors had to remove parts of Joshua’s skull to reduce dangerous swelling.
Court documents also say Christina found pictures of Eaton from a surveillance camera, and the audio of the assault was also heard.
Kelly Leak, Burton’s mother, says they talked just minutes before the assault. She added that Burton did not want to call the police on Eaton because he was homeless.
Eaton’s sister also told police that her brother struggled with being homeless.
Eaton was sentenced Tuesday, and he was convicted of attempted murder and aggravated battery in April.
“While today’s 40-year sentence brings the criminal matter to a close, we recognize that for Joshua and his family, their journey to recovery is still ongoing,” said Prosecutor Mears. “This resolution is a significant step toward justice for the horrific violence inflicted upon Joshua, and we hope it provides a sense of relief as they continue to heal.”
