Teen charged with manslaughter in death of St. Paul veteran

A teenage suspect is facing a new charge in connection with the death of a decorated Marine Corps veteran, who prosecutors allege died one month after an assault at St. Paul's Harriet Island Regional Park.

The suspect, who was 17-years-old at the time of the Jan. 28 incident, was charged two days after the alleged attack with 1st-degree assault.

In February, following the death of 76-year-old Thomas Dunne, investigators announced they were examining new evidence in the case and could seek additional charges.

On Thursday, St. Paul Police announced the suspect now faces an upgraded charge of 1st-degree manslaughter in connection with Dunne's death, which has now been ruled a homicide.

The alleged assault took place just before 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 at the riverfront park.

According to the statement of probable cause, officers found Dunne standing next to his vehicle with blood streaming from his right eye socket.

He told officers he taken his phone out to take a picture of a male publicly urinating at the park when the male, and two others who'd gotten out of a vehicle, confronted him and attempted to take his phone.

Dunne and a witness told police one of the men punched Dunne in the face, charges allege.

When officers approached a group of three males walking eastbound along the river and asked if they'd been involved in a fight, the suspect allegedly responded: "Yeah, that was me."

At Regions Hospital, Dunne was diagnosed with at least six facial fractures and a serious rupture to his right eye.

He underwent emergency ocular surgery, but hospital staff told police the injury might've resulted in the permanent loss of his vision and it would be months before they could tell if there was any improvement.

Helen Broderick, Dunne's wife, described the weeks that followed in an interview with the Pioneer Press , in which she said Dunne developed a fever Feb. 4 and required intubation before his death just after midnight Friday.

According to an obituary , Dunne immigrated to the United States from Ireland with his parents when he was 2-years-old.

He fought two tours in the Vietnam War and later joined the Army National Guard, for a total of 28 years of military service.

According to Dunne's obituary, he enjoyed many hobbies such as cooking, writing plays and acting and was also a licensed pilot.

"One of his proudest achievements was as a member of MENSA," the remembrance shares. "Above all, he was a devoted husband and loved by family and so many friends."