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Men Convicted Of Homeless Beating Death Learn Fate

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Oct 23, 2008 7:45 pm US/Eastern

Men Convicted Of Homeless Beating Death Learn Fate

Brian Hooks and Thomas Daugherty Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder

Guilty Of 2 Counts Of Second-Degree Attempted Murder

Daugherty Is Sentenced To Life In Prison
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ― A 19-year old Broward man, convicted last month of second-degree murder in the beating death of a homeless man, was sentenced to life in prison Thursday afternoon.

Thomas Daugherty murdered Norris Gaynor, who was beaten to death with a baseball ball while he slept on a bench in Esplanade Park in Fort Lauderdale on January 12, 2006. Gaynor died of a crushed skull.

Circuit Judge Cynthia Imperato announced the sentence after hearing from Gaynor's family and also the family of Thomas Daugherty. The young man spent most of Thursday's sentencing hearing in tears, saying he's not the same person seen on this surveillance video viciously attacking three homeless men.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I did," Daugherty said on the stand. "I'm sorry for failing you as a friend, for failing you as a son. I failed all of you."

Daugherty asked for forgiveness but Judge Cynthia Imperato said his actions demanded a serious punishment.

His friend and co-defendant, 21-year old Brian Hooks, was also found guilty of second-degree murder in Gaynor's death. He'll be sentenced on Friday. Both men were also convicted of attempted murder in two other attacks on homeless men.

His mother Bridget testified about the soap opera that was his family life.

"I know I am the cause of my son's demise," said Bridget Daugherty. "I should be sitting in that chair, not Thomas. I neglected him. I abused him and I contributed to the delinquency of a minor."

"Our son and brother is dead," Samuel Gaynor said of his son as he cried.

One of those attacks was caught on surveillance video. Jacques Pierre was attacked on the campus of FAU in Fort Lauderdale and the video was seen around the world. Pierre, who testified at the trial, suffered skull fractures and deep lacerations.

A third man, Raymond Perez, was attacked as he slept outside of Church by the Sea in Fort Lauderdale. Perez also testified during the trial.

A third teen who was involved in the attacks, William "Billy" Ammons" pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and aggravated battery in return for testifying against his friends. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Defense attorneys argued the boys only intended to beat up their victims, not kill them.

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Sizzling Summer 2009

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