UPDATE: MURDER CHARGES FILED IN FAMILY SWORD FIGHT

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A sword fight that left two people dead began after a bout of drinking, according to court papers filed Wednesday by the Marion County prosecutor's office.

The only survivor, Christopher Rondeau, 37, was formally charged with one count of murder and one count of reckless homicide in the April 9 melee at 5259 N. Raceway Road.

The murder count was filed in the death of Adolf Stegbauer, 69, Rondeau's uncle, with whom he had the sword fight. The reckless homicide count is for the death of Franziska Stegbauer, 77, Rondeau's grandmother, who tried to break up the fight.

After both men had drunk beer, and Adolf Stegbauer also consumed vodka and brandy, he "went from a happy drunk to a mean drunk," according to a probable cause affidavit filed by the prosecutor.

Stegbauer grabbed a samurai-type sword, knocked Franziska Stegbauer down and stabbed Rondeau, investigators said in the affidavit.

Rondeau said he got a Japanese saber-style infantry sword from another room, "parried a few times and hit Adolf at least two times."

Franziska Stegbauer died shortly after the stabbing. Adolf Stegbauer died on Monday.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090416/LOCAL18/904160461/1282/NEWS02