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Alzheimer's-Ridden Pro-wrestling Legend Kills Fellow Nursing Home Resident

By Beth Janicek

Verne Gagne, an 82 year old wrestling legend is under investigation after the death of 97 years old, Helmut R. Gutmann, who lived with Gagne in Friendship Village, a Bloomington living facility. Both men suffer from Alzheimer's related dementia.

Gagne and Gutmann allegedly got into a fight on January 26th, in which Gutmann suffered a broken leg and a head injury. He was hospitalized, then released, then later re-hospitalized due to complications and later died.

Helmut R. Gutmann had escaped Nazi Germany and was a former cancer research scientist at the University of Minnesota.

Verge Gagne entered the world of wrestling in 1949, and became the perennial champion and owner/promoter of the American Wrestling Association. He later went on to host the weekly TV show, All-Star Wrestling. Gagne was inducted into the World Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999.

Bloomington Police are investigating the death as suspicious. A manner of death has not officially been determined, but it is believed that Gutmann was body slammed. Gagne was dismissed from the living facility, but due to his mental state it is unknown whether charges will be pressed. A full account of this unfortunate story can be seen here.

It is my belief that incompetent people should not be held responsible or charged with criminal intent if they do not know what they are doing. From what I have read thus far, it appears Mr. Gagne did not have the mental capability to form criminal intent so it is not likely the police will charge him with a crime. Nursing homes need to protect their residents from being injured by other residents. I have not seen an investigation as to what the nursing staff was doing to protect the residents and prevent an incident such as this from ever occurring.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Beth Janicek

Full post as published by San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer on February 27, 2009 (boomark / email).