Man beat to death with golf clubs at Bay District firehouse

LEXINGTON PARK --- According to Lt. Daniel Alioto of the St. Mary's Sheriff's Dept., on June 11, 2006 Patrol Officers responded to the Bay District Fire Department in Lexington Park, Maryland for the reported injured subject. Upon arrival Officers received additional information that there was a Suspect in the building that may have caused serious injury to another occupant.

      Nicholas Thomas Potts III, 22, of California, Maryland exited the building covered in blood and was he was detained. Detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations continued the investigation. Three (3) Search and Seizure Warrants were obtained and served and numerous items of evidence were located.

         Potts and the Victim had driven together to the Firehouse as the Suspect had some business to tend to. Once inside a dispute began between the two and Suspect Potts struck the Victim in the head with a golf club before delivering several stab wounds, one mortal wound was to the neck.

         Potts attempted to clean the crime scene and conceal the Victim’s body.          

Victim, James Augustus “Gus” Choporis, 46, of Great Mills, was located in the second floor storage area of the building.

         Potts was treated at St. Mary’s Hospital for a minor cut to his hand before being charged with one (1) One count of First Degree Murder, (1) One count of First Degree Assault and (1) One count of Second Degree Assault. He is currently awaiting a hearing before the District Court Commissioner. Additional charges are pending a State’s Attorney and Grand Jury review.