Brownwood Man Charged with Murder in Vicious Attack

BROWNWOOD, TX— A Brownwood man is facing murder charges after the victim he allegedly assaulted never woke up.

In a press release issued by the Brownwood Police Department, on November 22, 2023, at 11:40 p.m. a 911 call reported a man was laying on a staircase at the Wayside Apartment complex and was covered in blood. Once on scene, officer located the man on the landing between the first and second floors of the apartment building. He appeared to have a serious head injury and had several cuts to his head and face.

The victim was later identified as Richard Leroy Kittle, 58, of Brownwood.

Kittle was transported to Hendricks Brownwood Emergency Room but was eventually life-flighted to Hendrick North in Abilene, Texas and was placed in the ICU.

Back at the scene, officers noticed footprints of blood and marks from the staircase to an apartment of the second floor. Contact with the occupant was unsuccessful and due to the seriousness of the crime, Brownwood police assited and got a search warrant. After the warrant was approved, Brown County Regional SWAT executed it and entry was made.

The SWAT team located James David Harvey, 38, as the occupant and only renter. Harvey was interviewed and he allegedly admitted to fighting with Kittle and causing the injuries. He was arrested and booked into the Brown County Jail for Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury.

At 5:15 p.m. on November 23, 2023, it was learned that Kittle did not regain consciousness and died about 15 minutes prior at 5:00 p.m. Harvey’s charge was then changed to Murder.