Two Cass Lake teens arraigned in blind man's death

WALKER (AP) -- Two 16-year-old boys charged with killing a blind man might have been drunk when they allegedly beat him with an ax handle, authorities said.

Darrell "Louie" Bisson, 48, known as "the walker," was walking his dog when he was attacked and left to die on the sidewalk just blocks from his home Friday night in the northern Minnesota town of Cass Lake.

The 16-year-old boys were arraigned Monday in Cass County District Court on two counts each of second-degree murder.

When the boys were led into the courtroom, one of Bisson's relatives swore loudly and yelled, "Remember my face!" A bailiff laid a hand on her shoulder and told her to be quiet. The relative later said the boy had smirked at her.

Bisson's death "could be no more than a drunken, stupid thing," said Cass County Sheriff's Office investigator Mike Diekmann, who was trying to determine whether two other teenagers also were involved.

Authorities have the weapons used in the attack: a bloody ax handle and an athletic shoe one of the boys was wearing when he allegedly stomped on Bisson's face, leaving the pattern of the shoe sole.

Dennis Newstrand, owner of the Cozy Kitchen Cafe, said he was in the cafe with his son and grandson about 11:15 p.m. Friday when they saw three teenagers scuffling with someone outside and then beating him with their fists.

Newstrand said he called 911 while his son went out and saw one of the boys beat Bisson over the head with the ax handle, which he carried to help him walk and for protection.

Bisson was pronounced dead at a hospital. His head was severely cut and bruised, back and front, a criminal complaint said.

Shortly afterward, one of the teenagers was found on the roof of a nearby home. On the ground was the ax handle with what appeared to be blood stains.

"We have no clue why they did it," said the county's chief deputy, Tom Burch.

Residents of Cass Lake, a town of about 900 people, said the killing fits a years-long trend of rising violence and other criminal activity by juveniles in the area.