FARGO
The prospect of his killer facing prosecution seems to have hit a dead end, but the family of Ronald Hammersmith isn't giving up.
Hammersmith died about 19 months ago from injuries sustained after he was struck in the head while walking home a block west of the Cass County Courthouse on 10th Street.
Fargo police believe they know who attacked the 47-year-old, but Cass County prosecutors don't consider the case strong enough to convict the suspect, a 20-year-old at the time.
On Friday, hoping to jog free some new leads, family members announced they will pay $5,000 for any tips that lead to a conviction in Hammersmith's death.
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"There are people that do know something, or just as important, suspect something," said Cherry Gannarelli of Rugby, N.D., his sister. "There was hope that there was going to be a conclusion to this."
There has been no significant development in the case since fall 2009, with no new case reports filed in the investigation in 2010 or 2011, said Lt. Pat Claus, investigations commander for Fargo police.
Claus said any information that would have bolstered the case against the current suspect or raised legitimate doubts that he was responsible would have prompted a case report.
Though Fargo police will not be involved in granting the reward, they welcome a chance to investigate new evidence, Claus said.
"A reward can't hurt," he said. "At least it gives us something to work on."
Anyone with a possible tip is asked to call Fargo police at (701) 235-4493.
Police came to the home of Hammersmith around 2:30 a.m. on July 26, 2009, after a friend told dispatchers Hammersmith was hit in the head by a man between 20 and 30 years old.
Though Hammersmith's head injury didn't appear to be life-threatening at first, he was hospitalized and died the next night. A subsequent autopsy found his death was caused by injuries he received when he was assaulted.
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Nine days after Hammersmith's death, police forwarded reports to Cass County prosecutors to consider manslaughter charges. Six months later, on March 11, prosecutors and police held a news conference to say the case wasn't strong enough to file charges, yet there was nothing left to investigate.
"We don't have anything further to examine," Police Chief Keith Ternes said.
"Tomorrow may bring a different result," Cass County State's Attorney Birch Burdick said of holding off on charges. "We'll assess that tomorrow, when tomorrow comes."
The name of the suspect hasn't been publicized.
Though frustrated by the lack of a criminal prosecution, Gannarelli said Friday she's doesn't lay blame on police or prosecutors.
"We, as a family, had hoped this person, family members of this person, would come forward," she said. "I've tried to raise my kids to do the right thing. That's what disappointing: that other people don't do the right thing."
Police believe the assault was a random attack, but have also said they don't think the suspect poses a public safety risk.
Gannarelli said she was surprised that as the result of a random assault, her brother's death didn't spur a greater public push for a prosecution. She also said his death shows the need to be constantly alert.
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"Life can change on a dime," she said. "You need to be aware of your surroundings, even in Fargo."
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
