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: the 13th juror

?When people think of him being homeless, they think nobody cared about him"

With $20 loaned from a friend tucked in his new wallet, Billy Joe Begley headed off to get something to eat.

He told his friend he would be staying with an aunt for a couple days, something he did when he needed a break from life on the street, or to get clean clothes or to shower.

Less than an hour later, the 49-year-old homeless man lay unresponsive in the street -- the victim of an apparent brutal beating in front of a public library. His wallet and the $20 were missing from his pocket.

He was pronounced dead Saturday night, with relatives surrounding his bedside while doctors unplugged life support. He never regained consciousness.

Family members are planning a memorial service. ?When people think of him being homeless, they think nobody cared about him. He?s got family that cares and loves him. All of his friends loved him. He wouldn?t change. That was him,? said his cousin, Katie Ronnebaum.

?Him? meant a man with an alcohol addiction who shunned his family?s pleas to slow down his beer drinking and to get off the streets.

Read the Cincinnati Enquirer report here.

Full post as published by the 13th juror on March 07, 2011 (boomark / email).