Man severely beaten in Anthony; 2 suspects arrested

ANTHONY — A 43-year-old man was listed in critical condition Saturday at Shands at the University of Florida after suffering a severe beating the night before.

Law officers arrested a Marion County man and that man’s stepson in connection with the attack.

Jason W. Bliss of Anthony was on a ventilator after suffering severe cuts to his head, face and upper body. He also suffered two collapsed lungs, authorities said.

Marion County Sheriff’s Detective Rhonda Stroup investigated the case, leading to the arrests of Eric Clayton Woodman, 28 and Millard Arthur Valeriani, 44. Each was charged with aggravated battery and taken to the Marion County Jail.

Shortly after 5 a.m. Saturday, deputies went to the 9200 block of Northeast 22nd Court after receiving a call about a battery.

Upon arrival, deputies noticed Bliss’ eyes were shut and he was bleeding from his eyes, nose, ears and mouth, sheriff’s officials said.

Bliss told officials that, around 7 p.m. Friday, he went across the street to see his live-in girlfriend. She had gone there after the couple had argued.

Bliss told officials he wanted to make up. But before he got to the home, Bliss said he was greeted by a man who hit and pushed him to the ground.

The victim said he left and went home to take a bath. While in the tub, Bliss heard his girlfriend enter the home. Then he heard a knock at the door.

Authorities say the two suspects entered the bathroom and began beating Bliss while he was in the tub. Bliss said one of the men told him that they would kill him if he called police.

Deputies then visited the home across the street and talked with the victim’s girlfriend, who told them she didn’t know what happened to her boyfriend or who beat him up.

Officials then spoke with Woodman. During the conversation, they noticed bloody clothing in his bedroom.

Woodman reportedly began crying and told deputies that the victim started the trouble by pushing him. He said he punched the victim two or three times before his stepfather — Valeriani — came outside.

He said his stepfather and the victim argued and his stepfather punched the victim several times and the victim left. Woodman said his stepfather followed the victim and returned a short time later.

According to the detective’s report, Valeriani said he entered the victim’s home and the master bedroom door was locked. He said he kicked down the door and the victim came at him and they fought.

Woodman told the detective that he kicked the victim in the chest. He also said while his stepfather was in the bathroom beating the victim, he handed him a beer.

Both Valeriani’s wife and the victim’s girlfriend, who said she went back to the home to retrieve some of her clothing and the children’s clothing, told Stroup that they didn’t see the beating but heard the victim screaming.