Man dies following altercation on Fourth Street

A 29-year-old Coeur d’Alene man is dead and a 21-year-old Rathdrum man is facing a manslaughter charge following an altercation police said occurred early Sunday.

Coeur d’Alene police report they were called to the 300 block of north Fourth Street around 1:25 a.m. for the report of a battery. When they arrived on scene officers report they found Jeffrey Marfice with a significant head injury.

Marfice was transported to Kootenai Health where police say his condition continued to deteriorate and he underwent emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

Detectives located the suspect, Tyler Finlay, and several witnesses who were reportedly present when the incident occurrred.

“Finlay admitted he punched Marfice one time. The blow caused Marfice to fall to the ground where he hit the back of his head on the pavement,” states a Cd’A PD news release.

Finlay was arrested for aggravated battery and taken to the Kootenai County Jail.

Marfice was pronounced dead early Monday at Kootenai Health.

Finlay’s first court appearance will be today where he will face an amended charge of manslaughter.