More Details Emerge In Beating Death Of Tuscaloosa Man

According to a story in The Tuscaloosa News, witnesses have told police that the man beaten to death in downtown Tuscaloosa early Sunday Morning was trying to break up a fight which involved a friend of his.

The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences say that David Milligan, 27, died from blunt force trauma to the head. A couple of witnesses told investigators that they saw Milligan being struck and kicked repeatedly by another man on the sidewalk near the downtown Embassy Suites Hotel.

Lesley Ray Kelley, 40, has been formally charged murder in Milligan’s death.

According to court documents filed earlier today, Milligan’s friend was walking near the hotel when Kelley and Kelley’s brother drove by. Kelley exited the vehicle and began fighting with Milligan’s friend. Milligan caught up to his friend and approached as if he were trying to break them up, according to the witnesses. .

The witnesses told investigatons that Milligan was punched several times and fell to the ground. As he was trying to crawl away Kelley allegedly kicked him in the torso.

According to an investigator report in the case, “Witnesses said the defendant struck the victim, again, with his fist and began to walk away. The defendant then turned around and kicked the victim, in the face, like he was punting a football."

A witness called 911, and revealed that Milligan was not breathing. He was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center and declared brain dead. He later died that afternoon.

Kelley, is currently being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail with bond set at $150,000.

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