Sep 4, 2008 6:35 pm US/Eastern
Teens In Homeless Beating Death Goes To Court
Opening arguments began before Circuit Judge Cynthia Imperato
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
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FAU surveillance camera videotaped the beatings on Jan. 12th 2006 in Fort Lauderdale.
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Brian Hooks, 21, charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder
CBS4 News
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45-year old Norris Gaynor died of his injuries after he was beaten with a baseball bat
CBS4 News
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Raymond Perez was beaten in the garden of the Church By The Sea
CBS4 News
A Broward County jury began hearing the murder case against two men involved in the beating death of a homeless man and injuring of two others.
On Thursday, prosecutor Peter Holden in opening arguments said "every blow had an intended purpose."
Thomas Daugherty, 19, and Brian Hooks, 21, are charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder for their roles in the Jan. 12, 2006, beatings of three men in Fort Lauderdale.
They could face life in prison if convicted.
Holden said in the courtroom that "the four were smoking marijuana and drinking vodka" when they decided in the early morning hours to go cruising and "beat up some bums."
One man, 45-year old Norris Gaynor, died of his injuries after he was beaten with a baseball bat. The other two suffered broken bones and lacerations. One attack was caught on surveillance video outside Florida Atlantic University.
A third suspect, William Ammons, 21, has already accepted a deal from prosecutors to testify against his former friends. He pled guilty in May to felony murder and aggravated assault and is awaiting sentencing.
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