Hammersmith Case Remains Open

Prosecutors say they're frustrated after coming up empty handed in the investigation of a beating death. They say someone attacked Ronald Hammersmith last summer, while he was walking home from downtown Fargo. He died a day later in the hospital.

Authorities say they don't have enough evidence to prosecute the case, although they do have a suspect in mind. They’re hoping someone comes forward with more info. They say it's tough on Hammersmith’s family, and on them.

Birch Burdick, Cass County State's Attorney, “It's our job to figure out whether we have enough evidence to prosecute someone, or not. And if it's not, at the end of the day, no matter how dissatisfying it may be, that's what we have to decide, that we can't prosecute it.”

The case will remain open, but prosecutors say they don't expect murder charges to be filed even if the case moves forward.