Assault on ROUTE 27, CARROLL COUNTY, MD, MD

10/03/2009 06:55 PM. At approximately 6:55p.m., Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputies and members of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Company responded to the railroad tracks along Route 27 beneath the Route 140 overpass for a report of an injured person. Arriving deputies found a group of apparently intoxicated homeless persons at a makeshift campsite approximately 75 yards from the roadway. Among them was a semiconscious middle aged man lying atop a pile of garbage below an eight foot tall retaining wall at the site, he was later identified as George Herbert Smith Jr. of no fixed address. Suffering from severe head and facial injuries, paramedics transported Smith to a nearby landing site where he was flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for treatment. Smith remains in serious but stable condition. During their investigation, deputies learned that Smith had been laying atop the retaining wall when Troy Thomas Haller aged 29 of no fixed address began punching Smith in the head and face approximately 9 times, before kicking him in the ribs until Smith fell from the wall. Witnesses reported the attack was unprovoked. Consequently, Haller was arrested and transported to Carroll County Central Booking where he was charged with the following criminal law violations: · First Degree Assault · Second Degree Assault · Reckless Endangerment · Disorderly Intoxication Haller is currently awaiting a bail review before the District Court Commissioner. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Stem of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office at 410-386-2900. The investigation continues…