A news conference to discuss the investigation into the death of Ronald Hammersmith last year in Fargo is scheduled for this morning.
The news conference is being called by the Cass County State's Attorney's Office and will be carried live on WDAY AM 970.
A one-sentence release issued by State's Attorney Birch Burdick does not give details of the nature of the news conference other than to say prosecutors plan to address Hammersmith's death.
To listen live, tune to WDAY AM 970 or click on the web stream button on the Inforum home page.
Two months ago, Fargo Police Chief Keith Ternes said the investigation into an assault that left the 47-year-old man dead last July is stalled unless authorities could find new information.
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On July 26, police were called to Hammersmith's home, 1003 9th Ave. S., at 2:43 a.m. on July 26 after a friend of his told dispatchers that Hammersmith said he'd been hit in the head and had his wallet taken.
Hammersmith suffered a head injury that at first appeared to be non-life-threatening, but he died the next night after being taken to MeritCare Hospital in Fargo.
Ten days after the attack, police forwarded reports to the state's attorney's office with a recommendation of charging a suspect, who was a 20-year-old at the time, with manslaughter.
Those charges have not been filed. Burdick said prosecutors didn't have enough information to charge anyone, but that they haven't decided to not charge the suspect police identified.
Burdick said his office will wait until prosecutors feel they have all the information available before making a decision.
Authorities also said two months ago that they were waiting for more testing on some evidence, and the investigation is still open, he said.
