Cops: Construction Worker Buries Boss in Tons of Dirt

Then Erick 'Pork Chop' Cox allegedly beat his trapped boss unconscious
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 4, 2016 3:15 PM CDT
Cops: Construction Worker Buries Boss in Tons of Dirt
Erick "Pork Chop" Cox   (Volusia County Jail)

A Florida construction worker allegedly used a piece of heavy machinery to bury his boss in dirt before beating him unconscious Wednesday, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Police say Erick "Pork Chop" Cox was arguing with supervisor Perry Byrd at an under-construction Walmart when he used a front-end loader to drop a bunch of dirt on him. Cox allegedly then picked up a second load of dirt and dropped it on Byrd, burying him up to his waist. Worker Glen Heckman tells WFTV there were thousands of pounds of dirt pinning Byrd to the ground.

Police say Cox got off the loader and started beating the immobilized Byrd over the head with a 6-foot aluminum level. Heckman called 911 and told the dispatcher Cox was "about to kill" Byrd while "cussing and laughing." Cox was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery. He's since been released on bail. Byrd was left with a fractured skull and bleeding in his brain and needs surgery. Cox is claiming self-defense, saying Byrd threatened to cut his head off. According to police, he says dumping dirt on Byrd was an accident. Cox has prior convictions for aggravated battery, domestic violence, and more. He's been fired by the construction company, WESH reports. (More battery stories.)

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