By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review
A Wausau teenager is one of several suspects accused of brutally attacking a 61-year-old man they encountered in a Stevens Point parking lot who later died of his injuries.
Officers do not believe the man was known to the suspects, according to Assistant District Attorney Jedidiah Dodge.
The caller told police they heard yelling between the victim and suspects after the man accused them of taking something from his truck. A witness reported seeing three men surround the victim near his vehicle, then actively punch him with their fists. The man fell to the ground and one of the suspects kicked him while he was down.
One of the suspects has been identified as 18-year-old Christian Emerson, of Wausau, who appeared March 18 for a bond hearing in Portage County Circuit Court.
After the beating, the victim was taken to an area hospital for an evaluation, then transported to a trauma center in Wausau for treatment of broken ribs, severe head trauma, swollen eyes and severe brain swelling, Dodge said. The man died a short time later.
Emerson was contacted Saturday and allegedly admitted he kicked the victim multiple times in the rib area. When the man fell to the ground near Emerson’s car, the group “dragged him on the ground to get him out of the way,” then left in the vehicle, Dodge said.
In a statement to police, Emerson said “he chose to kick [the victim] because he wanted to participate in the fight to some degree,” Dodge said.
The investigation is still ongoing, but initial charges include aggravated battery and recklessly endangering safety.
In requesting the high cash bond, Dodge noted that Emerson did not call 911 or try to help the man who was lying on the ground, bleeding. Instead, they moved the body, Dodge said.
Emerson will return to court April 3 for in initial appearance. The name of the victim has not been publicly released.
The other suspects in the beating have not yet been named.
Follow the Point Plover Metro Wire at this link.
