Homeless man’s death an apparent homicide

Keith Paul

Friday, March 23, 2001 | 10:34 a.m.

A homeless man who was kicked and beaten by a group of teens in December died at a rehabilitation hospital earlier this month, making his death an apparent homicide.

Metro Police weren't immediately notified when 72-year-old Arthur Cramer died March 10 in Las Vegas Health Care Center, apparently because rehabilitation hospital officials weren't aware of the crime behind his injuries.

But the Clark County Coroner's Office realized Cramer was the victim of a crime and his death, if proven had been caused by the previous injuries, would be a homicide. Coroner officials contacted homicide detectives Tuesday, said Lt. Wayne Petersen of Metro's homicide unit.

"At this point we are investigating his death as a homicide," he said. "It looks like the injuries that occurred from the battery may have caused his death."

An autopsy was performed Wednesday and a final determination regarding the cause of death is pending.

Police have no suspects in the Dec. 27 beating of Cramer in the area of A Street and Owens Avenue. Cramer was apparently asleep in a spot where he normally camped for the night.

Ron Travis, a homeless man who camped close by, said he saw a group of teenagers stomping and hitting Cramer at about 8:30 p.m. He said he picked up a large rock and started heading toward the group of teens, apparently scaring them off.

"He didn't say anything to them. He had his blankets over his head. That's the way he sleeps," Travis said the day after the attack. "I didn't hear them say anything before they started. I just heard Arthur (grunting) when he was being kicked."

Detectives had several leads and even some names of possible suspects weeks after the attack, but no arrests have been made. Police suspect the teens involved live near the area.

Petersen said he hopes someone who knows of or has heard about the attack comes forward.

"I hope that it weighs more heavily on those responsible or anyone who knows who did it and they do the right thing and come forward and identify those responsible," he said.

Cramer's death is the 37th homicide this year in Metro's jurisdiction, compared with 23 at the same time last year.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call Metro's homicide unit at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.