Bel Air Man Charged In Death Of Partygoer: Carroll Sheriff

BEL AIR, MD — A Bel Air man is charged with several offenses, including manslaughter, in connection with the death of a man over the weekend. The death happened after a party in Carroll County.

Todd Michael Dauses, 49, of the 300 block of East Belcrest Road in Bel Air, has been charged with manslaughter, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.

Dauses attended a party in the 2700 block of Coon Club Road near Westminster on Saturday, Dec. 22, according to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said that another attendee — Raymond Charles Banz, 43, of Reisterstown — became intoxicated and refused to leave the gathering. When someone tried to make him leave, Banz got into a physical altercation, officials reported.

Dauses dragged and punched the Reisterstown man before stomping on his abdomen as he was on the ground, according to the Carroll County Times, which cited charging documents stating both parties had been drinking before the fight.

Ultimately, Banz left and returned to his home in the 15000 block of Dover Road in Reisterstown, authorities reported.

At 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23, officers said they were dispatched to the home after a 911 caller reported the resident needed medical attention.

When police arrived, authorities said Banz was deceased.

Internal injuries likely contributed to the death of Banz, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined through an autopsy on Christmas Eve. Banz appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma, with fractured ribs and internal bleeding, the Carroll County Times reported.

"Notification was made to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, and detectives worked diligently to piece together the events that led up to the death of Mr. Banz," the Carroll County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Thursday, Dec. 27.

The investigation led to the arrest of Dauses. He is being held without bail.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Harbaugh at the Carroll County Sheriff's Office at 410-386-5900.

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