Teens charged in Hamtramck man's severe beating

2 teens accused of beating man Saturday night in Hamtramck street

DETROIT – Two teens are charged with assault with the intent to do murder and will be tried as adults after a 59-year-old Hamtramck man was severely beaten Saturday night.

The teens, 13-year-old Martell Dewberry and 14-year-old DeVante howard, are being held at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility.

"He's a wonderful kid, he's very respectable to the elderly people in the community, and I think he was just brought into something, not being in my care," said Mark Real, Martell's father.

Meanwhile, the victim, Nick Veselenak, known affectionately in the community as the "Cat Man," is in Detroit Receiving Hospital in critical condition. His sister-in-law says it does not look good.

Veselenak is known for taking care of all the stray cats in the neighborhood.

A prosecutor says the only motive they have been able to find is a thrill-beating -- beating a stranger for the thrill of it and no other reason.

If either boy is convicted they could spend life in prison.


About the Author:

Paula Tutman is an Emmy award-winning journalist who came to Local 4 in 1992. She's married and the stepmother of three beautiful and brilliant daughters. Her personal philosophy in life, love and community is, "Do as much as you can possibly do, not as little as you can possibly get away with".