Very sad case of when life imitates art.
Verne 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, Mn Star Tribune Feb 25 2009
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.
Hennig said the medical examiner's ruling did not surprise her. "I know Verne Gagne was either indirectly or otherwise responsible for my father's death," she said. "My father would be alive today if Verne Gagne had not lifted him off the floor and thrown him down. It doesn't mean that I blame Verne Gagne. He had Alzheimer's, so I don't think you can actually hold him responsible for what he did."
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