Verne Gagne: WTF???

[randysavage]

Verne Gagne was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease[1] (or, Gagne might have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) caused by a lifetime of head injuries.[2]), and has been living in the memory-loss section of a Bloomington, Minnesota health care facility.[1] On January 26th, 2009, Gagne got into an altercation with Helmut Gutmann, a 97-year old resident of the facility, and broke his hip, as he did body slam him or apply a boston crab. Rumor has it, he believed he was in a wrestling match at the time.[1] [1] The man was admitted to the hospital, and died on February 14 of complications from the injury.[3] On February 25th, 2009, the man's death was officially ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County medical examiner's office.[4] Gagne had no recollection of the incident.[4]

Did this really happen?

[pinhead]

x2

This would rank as one of the most insane things I heard of.

[pinhead]

Damn. It's true!!!

Gagne case: Death ruled a homicide

The family of a 97-year-old who died says charges against the ex-wrestler would be "inhumane."

By ABBY SIMONS, Star Tribune

Last update: February 25, 2009 - 11:06 PM

Although the death of a 97-year-old man thrown to the floor last month by a Minnesota pro wrestling legend now is officially considered a homicide, it's by no means certain that criminal charges will follow, officials said Wednesday.

Helmut Gutmann died Feb. 14 of complications from a broken right hip suffered in a Jan. 26 clash with Verne Gagne in the memory-loss unit of Friendship Village in Bloomington, Gutmann's daughter, Ruth Hennig of Boston, said last week.

Both men suffered from Alzheimer's disease and did not remember what had happened after the fight, officials and family members have said -- factors likely to be weighed as authorities consider whether to charge Gagne. Gutmann's family believes that charges would be "inhumane," Hennig said Wednesday.

In ruling Gutmann's death a homicide, the Hennepin County medical examiner's office said he "died from complications from a right hip fracture due to a fall" after being "pushed by another." The report also said Gutmann suffered from dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The homicide label simply means Gutmann "died at the hands of another," said Roberta Geiselhart, supervisor of investigations for the Hennepin County medical examiner.

"Medical examiners will use 'homicide' in very pure terms," she said. "We do not enter at all into intent. That is more of a legal matter."

The scuffle between Gagne and Gutmann remains under investigation by the Bloomington Police Department. Deputy Chief Perry Heles said a full report will be forwarded to the Hennepin County attorney's office by next week for consideration of charges.

"State of mind and criminal intent are always factors in cases such as this," Heles said. "I suspect both of those factors will be looked at very closely in this case."

A representative of the attorney's office declined to comment Wednesday.

Gagne's family has not been available for comment.

[slick rick]

Just wondering where that Quote came from Savage. It's the first I read of the bodyslam and boston crab thing, lol, it might be embellishing it a bit. It's too bad really that this is probably what he'll be remebered for now.

[champcar99]

No murder charge will happen...the guy is and will be unfit for trial..you cannot prosecute mentally handicapped pateints..person has to know they have commited a crime, have to know the difference between right and wrong..both patients are and were mentally unstable..

[Bowlcut]

Alzheimer's disease is a terrible thing to see happen to a family member.
Stem cell research please.

[O-Train]

It's going to take a while to completely figure out Alzheimer's disease. Probably won't see a "cure" in our lifetime but I think it will become a more treatable disease within the next 20 years.

[randysavage]

It's going to take a while to completely figure out Alzheimer's disease. Probably won't see a "cure" in our lifetime but I think it will become a more treatable disease within the next 20 years.


I used to think I would never see a Black President in the USA but here we are. Never say never.... things are moving fast these days.