DeLand, FL - A 49-year-old DeLand man is out on bond after being charged with Aggravated Battery Causing Bodily Harm against a man who is his tenant and also works for him. Kevin Somerville was arrested last Monday (October 14).
Volusia County Sheriff's deputies responded to a home on 7th Avenue in DeLand after the victim's neighbor called to report that he could see blood on the couch through the window. He opened the door and saw the victim unconscious and covered with blood on the floor.
The victim told deputies that he was taking a shower Sunday afternoon when Somerville came into his residence unannounced and stated, "Why don't you work harder for me?" The victim said he told Somerville to get out. He was waiting for the victim. The victim could not recall what Somerville said but told Somerville if that's how you're going to treat me, I'll move out. The victim said that's when Somerville started punching and kicking him. The victim also said that Somerville cleaned the blood off the victim and the floor, then left.
Deputies contacted Somerville, who denied hitting the victim and suggested that the victim takes medication and hallucinated the incident. Deputies informed Somerville of the victim's extensive injuries at which time, according to the incident report, Somerville became nervous, stuttering his words and not making eye contact. He also told deputies that the victim was sick all the time.
The victim was unable to write a sworn statement due to the extent of his injuries but was able to give deputies a verbal sworn statement. The victim sustained multiple lacerations on his face and body and was coughing up blood. The effect of internal injuries is unknown at this time.
Somerville was taken to the Volusia County Jail and is out on a $5,000 bond. He'll be arraigned on November 7.
