Bridgeport Ohio Man Murdered - Cold Case 1977

[Mark Biloxi]

WTRF TV recent story May 2525

June 22, 1977, Wheeling Wv and Bridgeport Ohio –
Reprinted from the Wheeling News-Register

Joseph A . George Jr. of Bridgeport, Ohio
the former operator of a popular
downtown Wheeling nightspot and a
former candidate for treasurer of
Belmont County, was shot to death
Wednesday . night by robbers who
bound him and a companion at his
home at 615 Main St.

The victim was pronounced dead at
Martins Ferry Hospital early this
morning following the 11:42 p.m.
Wednesday incident.

Area police are conducting a search
for four men, one white and three
black, who were described by Monty
Witzberger, a friend of George’s who
was with the victim at the time of the
killing:. Full article attached

 

[Mark Biloxi]

With today's technology maybe they can solve this case? Guessing Eric Walton who was attached to this case along with Karen Pappas, Eric kept dealing drugs. Do you know more?

United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Eric Arthur Walton, Defendant-appellant, 56 F.3d 551 (4th Cir. 1995)

United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Eric Arthur Walton, Defendant-appellant, 56 F.3d 551 (4th Cir. 1995) case opinion from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

law.justia.com

 

[Mark Biloxi]

ERIC ARTHUR WALTON
Register Number: 21074-101
Age:	74
Race:	White
Sex:	Male
Located at: Elkton FCI
Release Date: 05/14/2026

 

[Mark Biloxi]

The Wheeling Mob: Part 7 - Weelunk

WARNING: This article contains explicit language and subject matter that is not suitable for children. It is the equivalent of Rated R. (Writer’s Note: This is the seventh in a series of stories that will concentrate on the organized-crime scene in and around Wheeling during the past century.)...

weelunk.com

 

[dotr]

May 26, 2025

https://www.wtrf.com/news/he-was-shot-in-the-rectum-1977-ohio-unsolved-murder-revisited-nearly-50-years-later/

'We begin by spotlighting one of those, the death of Joe George of Bridgeport. He was a graduate of St. John Central and Ohio University and a U.S. Army veteran. George was a businessman, who once owned the popular Wheeling night spot Tin Pan Alley.''

At the time, news reports were deliberately vague because of the manner in which George was found by authorities.''

He was shot in the rectum.”

Ed Sustercic | Belmont County Prosecutor in 1977

He was shot in the rectum which caused endless theories to develop which didn’t really pan out.”

Jim Nichelson | Belmont County Assistant Prosecutor in 1977

I’ve seen a lot of crazy things. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this.”

Ryan Allar | Chief Investigator, Belmont County Sheriff’s Department