The Region - News from Feb. 22, 1987

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of beating to death a Lake View Terrace man before a small crowd of onlookers in Panorama City. Ben Chase Skidmore, 23, was arrested after witnesses identified him as the man who had been beating another man, Sgt. Ted Hanson said. About 10 witnesses told police they watched Skidmore beat Wesley Oren Wahl, 58, kick him, and slam his head against the sidewalk several times, Hanson said. Wahl was taken to Panorama Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. There was no apparent motive for the beating, Hanson said.