Florida man beaten to death with pick hammer, deputies say

A 27-year-old Winter Haven, Florida, man is behind bars after beating a man to death in the face with a pick hammer Saturday evening, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

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Deputies arrested Calvin Ross after witnesses said he'd gotten into a fight with Jonathon Miller, 38 of Winter Haven, around 6:40 p.m. at 135 Manseau Drive, deputies said.

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First responders took Miller, whose face was seriously damaged when deputies arrived, to Winter Haven Hospital and then Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he died.

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Witnesses said Miller and Ross had been arguing outside the house when they heard noises they described as "thuds." Ross then went inside and told a roommate Miller was outside and needed to be checked on.

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Detectives found a bloody pick hammer in the grass near where they found Miller. They also found blood on Miller’s clothing and footwear.

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Ross was out on bond for an aggravated battery arrest from April when he allegedly beat someone in the head with a brick.

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