News Summary

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A man accused of beating and stabbing a woman to death pleaded not guilty to murder in Clark County Municipal Court Monday morning, Jan. 12.

Matthew W. Garst, 39, of 1213 Villa Road, is accused of killing Ramona D. Heitz, 50, of 735 Geron Drive.

Clark County Municipal Judge Thomas Trempe set bond at $500,000.

Springfield Police Division Chief Stephen Moody declined to comment on a possible motive or other specifics of the case.

"That's all being developed, that would be something that would be presented to a jury at a trial," said Moody.

Garst allegedly beat Heitz with a baseball bat after she arrived at his home around 7 p.m. Sunday.

Heitz had been stabbed approximately 15 times in the torso, back and face, according to court records.

She was taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center, Fountain Avenue campus, where she later died.

"There had been a relationship between these two individuals, but it's our understanding that it had been broken off and was a simply a platonic relationship," Moody said.

The incident is the first homicide this year in Springfield.

In a recording of a 911 call, a neighbor reports seeing Garst and Heitz "wrestling over a baseball bat and almost smashed out the window...she's over there screaming."

Moody said investigators were looking into whether the couple had a violent relationship, however, according to Clark County court records, Garst has never been convicted of domestic violence or assault.

Garst remained in the Clark County Jail Monday.

Neighbor Darrell Moreno said Garst had asked to borrow his phone several times to call Heitz.

"He would be yelling and screaming at her over the phone," he said. "The next day she'd be over there. I don't understand why she'd come back."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com