http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/2015/01/15/murder-turnbull-bitton/21805835/
Man charged with murder in beating of homeless man
Almost three months after a homeless man's battered body was found beneath a pile of clothes near Rhodes Park, prosecutors have charged a suspect in his death.
Scotty Turnbull, 24, was arrested the morning 37-year-old Rusty Bitton's body was discovered by fellow transients. However, Turnbull was not immediately charged with causing his death. Instead, prosecutors linked him to the violent beating of a woman and an attack on a bicyclist that happened the same night Bitton was killed.
The suspect was staying in a makeshift homeless encampment dubbed "Hobo Hangout" along with Bitton and the female victim when the attacks occurred the night of Oct. 28.
Witnesses say he savagely beat the woman, knocking her down and kicking her in the head repeatedly even after she went motionless. The woman survived, but was left with a three-inch skull fracture and other injuries, prosecutors say.
Turnbull also punched a cyclist in the face as the man rode by, prosecutors say. Next, they allege, he turned on Bitton, who witnesses say confronted him about the attack on the woman.
By morning, Bitton was dead. The coroner said he died from blunt force trauma, and ruled his death a homicide.
Prosecutors say Turnbull beat the man to death by kicking, punching and stomping on his head. The new charge was filed Wednesday.
The suspect has been charged with second-degree murder, felony aggravated battery and misdemeanor battery. Prosecutors plan to bring nearly a dozen witnesses when Turnbull next appears in court March 2.
Boise Police lauded the witnesses who came forward to help investigators.
"We take the loss of life very seriously, and it was very important for us to bring justice for the victim's family," Sgt. Mark Barnett of the Boise Police Criminal Investigation Division said in a press release. "We appreciate the courage of the witnesses who came forward with information from the very beginning of this case. We believe that continued cooperation helped get this investigation to this point and provide some answers for the victim's family and friends."
Bitton's family, who live in Utah, also issued a statement Thursday through a spokesperson.
"The family of Rusty Bitton would like to thank the Boise Police Department for their hard work and dedication. They have treated this case with urgency and efficiency, regardless of the fact that Rusty was homeless. Rusty had a great sense of humor, and we will always miss the laughter our family shared with him. Rusty would always help someone in need. He was kind, intelligent, talented, and compassionate. We loved him dearly and he loved us. We all miss him terribly. We are grateful to those in the Boise community that came forward with information that helped in the case."
Man charged with murder in beating of homeless man
Almost three months after a homeless man's battered body was found beneath a pile of clothes near Rhodes Park, prosecutors have charged a suspect in his death.
Scotty Turnbull, 24, was arrested the morning 37-year-old Rusty Bitton's body was discovered by fellow transients. However, Turnbull was not immediately charged with causing his death. Instead, prosecutors linked him to the violent beating of a woman and an attack on a bicyclist that happened the same night Bitton was killed.
The suspect was staying in a makeshift homeless encampment dubbed "Hobo Hangout" along with Bitton and the female victim when the attacks occurred the night of Oct. 28.
Witnesses say he savagely beat the woman, knocking her down and kicking her in the head repeatedly even after she went motionless. The woman survived, but was left with a three-inch skull fracture and other injuries, prosecutors say.
Turnbull also punched a cyclist in the face as the man rode by, prosecutors say. Next, they allege, he turned on Bitton, who witnesses say confronted him about the attack on the woman.
By morning, Bitton was dead. The coroner said he died from blunt force trauma, and ruled his death a homicide.
Prosecutors say Turnbull beat the man to death by kicking, punching and stomping on his head. The new charge was filed Wednesday.
The suspect has been charged with second-degree murder, felony aggravated battery and misdemeanor battery. Prosecutors plan to bring nearly a dozen witnesses when Turnbull next appears in court March 2.
Boise Police lauded the witnesses who came forward to help investigators.
"We take the loss of life very seriously, and it was very important for us to bring justice for the victim's family," Sgt. Mark Barnett of the Boise Police Criminal Investigation Division said in a press release. "We appreciate the courage of the witnesses who came forward with information from the very beginning of this case. We believe that continued cooperation helped get this investigation to this point and provide some answers for the victim's family and friends."
Bitton's family, who live in Utah, also issued a statement Thursday through a spokesperson.
"The family of Rusty Bitton would like to thank the Boise Police Department for their hard work and dedication. They have treated this case with urgency and efficiency, regardless of the fact that Rusty was homeless. Rusty had a great sense of humor, and we will always miss the laughter our family shared with him. Rusty would always help someone in need. He was kind, intelligent, talented, and compassionate. We loved him dearly and he loved us. We all miss him terribly. We are grateful to those in the Boise community that came forward with information that helped in the case."