Two witnesses say Sanford Ballou was killed by three Brooks brothers over an allegation he stole five packs of cigarettes.
Alvin Brooks and twin brothers, Ryan and Brian Ballou, face charges of criminaAully negligent homicide. They are due to appear before General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon on March 23.
The incident occurred Jan. 26 at the home of Alvin Brooks at 8139 Old Lee Highway in Ooltewah.
Authorities said Alvin Brooks and Michael Gibbs took Mr. Ballou to East Ridge Hospital, with only Mr. Gibbs staying at the hospital.
Emergency room personnel said the victim had two cuts to the neck, including one that had glass sticking in it.
Dr. Stanton Kessler of the medical examiner's office said Mr. Ballou died of a stab wound to the right side of the neck.
Mr. Gibbs told authorities he had discovered the body in the yard of the Alvin Brooks home.
Jan Pritchett, daughter of the victim, said she received a call from Alvin Brooks, who said he and Sanford Ballou had been in an altercation. She said Brooks said he had struck the victim and he fell through a window.
Authorities said a search of the house indicated a struggle had occurred in the kitchen area, and there had been attempts to clean it up.
The sheriff's office said two witnesses at the scene said all three Brooks brothers took part in the assault and that it was over the alleged cigarettes theft.