Two Eastern students are expected to be charge with 1st degree murder of a disabled man.

Marquis A. Harmon, a 22-year-old kinesiology sports studies major, and Keyun D. Newble, a 25-year-old former Eastern student, have been arrested concerning the death of Paul McCann.

McCann, a 42-year old man and client of Graywood Foundation, died Sunday as a result of a beating. During a press conference Wednesday, State’s Attorney Steve Ferguson said Harmon and Newble will be charged with first degree murder and criminal negligence for the death of McCann.

Harmon and Newble allegedly attacked McCann over a food dispute, Ferguson said.

Also, Harmon will be charged with obstruction of justice for denial of the accident.

Ed Schniers, the Coles County Coroner, said McCann received multiple rib fractures to his posterior and anterior.

The accident occurred at 203 W. Grant Ave. in Charleston, at a Graywood Foundation group home where McCann lived. McCann was a disabled individual, though Ferguson described McCann as “fairly high functioning.”

“The investigation is continuous,” Ferguson said.

Harmon and Newble have not been formally charged.

McCann is originally from Joliet and is survived by his mother, Lois McCann. McCann died at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon.

According to public record, McCann’s death is not the first incident that has occurred at a Graywood Foundation facility. In 2008, Dustin Higgins, a 21-year-old man, was murdered in a Graywood Foundation facility at 1511 B St. in Charleston.

Edward E. Flexter and Robert Gardner pled guilty to aggravated battery charges. Former Graywood employees, Daniel Clark and Christopher Oliver, are also charged with first-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter concerning Higgins’ death.

Clark and Oliver’s criminal case is reset for Feb. 4.

Elizabeth Edwards can be reached

at 581-2812 or [email protected]