DA: No charges in beating death at South Point

By Bethany Barnes

Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013 | 10:03 a.m.

An exchange student arrested in the fatal beating of a man Monday at the South Point will not face criminal charges.

The District Attorney’s Office announced today that it will not file charges against 22-year-old Matejs Balodis, who initially was arrested on a count of murder.

Balodis told detectives he had just flown into Las Vegas from Texas when he met Sherman Dale Lamb at McCarran International Airport during an extended layover, according to a Metro Police report.

Balodis told police he befriended Lamb, who helped him get a room at the South Point after his flight to New York was cancelled.

Lamb, 55, “originally appeared nice,” but later “it became apparent Lamb wanted to get Balodis’ money and credit card (personal identification number),” the police report said.

Balodis told police he tried to get his information back from Lamb, but Lamb became upset.

Balodis said he got scared, and the men began to fight in the hotel room, the report said. Balodis said he hit Lamb several times in the face and head before calling police and hotel security about 6:20 p.m. to report the incident, according to the police report.

Lamb died about an hour later at a nearby hospital, and detectives arrested Balodis.

Balodis, whose registered address is in Latvia, said he was an exchange student from Denmark traveling back to Europe for the holidays after completing his studies in Texas, the report said.