Yahtzee game ends in fatality

By ANDREW MEACHAM
Published June 25, 2007

TAMPA - A game of Yahtzee on Saturday left one man dead and another charged with murder.

Mark Kelvin Allen, 49, was playing the dice game at 7 p.m. with Edith Elliott, 47, at Elliott's residence at 3607 N Avenida Republica de Cuba when an argument erupted, said Tampa police Detective Craig Roberts.

The fight spilled into a bedroom, where Elliot had retreated to join boyfriend Rueben Barnett, 49. Allen kicked the door off its hinges and he and Barnett fought, Roberts said.

During the scuffle, Allen stabbed Barnett twice in the lower abdomen, Roberts said. Barnett was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he died.

Allen, who was arrested on a second-degree murder charge, was being held without bail at the Orient Road Jail.

Andrew Meacham can be reached at ameacham@sptimes.com or 813 661-2431.

[Last modified June 25, 2007, 02:30:34]