PORTSMOUTH — Two men were indicted on charges of negligent homicide following the death of Zachary Colbroth outside the Portsmouth Gas Light last August.
Vincent Panetta, 24, of Barrington, and Andrew Lucas, 24, of Farmington, face felony charges after an incident that began in the early hours of Aug. 26, when Portsmouth Police Department responded to a reported assault at 12:52 a.m. on Hanover Street.
According to the investigation, a verbal altercation involving Panetta, Lucas, Colbroth, and his group started in the Gaslight Night Club and escalated outside near the Hanover Street Parking Garage entrance.
Witnesses reported that Panetta and Lucas assaulted Colbroth, who then fled into the parking structure, pursued by the two men.
Colbroth attempted to climb over the rail of the parking garage but fell to the sidewalk below, sustaining fatal injuries.
He was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, where he later died.
After months of investigation, a grand jury returned true bills against Panetta and Lucas, charging them with negligent homicide, second-degree assault, and additional misdemeanor counts including simple assault, criminal threatening, and reckless conduct.
The Portsmouth Police Department continues to investigate the case, which is now set for prosecution.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Captain Dave Keaveny of the Investigative Division.
While the case is pending, no further details will be released.
