Two arrests in homeless man’s death

Two homeless men have been arrested and charged in connection with the beating death of another homeless man, according to an arrest report released Monday.

David Farkas, 53, and Nicholas Hamm, 30, were both charged with murder, trespassing and failure of a convicted felon to change address, the report said.

According to the report, police on Thursday were called to 4750 W. Flamingo Blvd., just west of the Strip, in response to a man "bleeding from the face."

Police found Randal Mars, 48, with severe facial and head injuries. He was unable to communicate with the officers. There was bruising on his face, as well as a shoe print on his forehead.

Mars was taken to University Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery. He died two days later, according to the report.

JoAnne Gunn, a relative of Mars, said he was taken to the hospital with no brain activity. Mars' son flew to Las Vegas from Colorado and made the decision to remove his father from life support, she said.

Gunn said both Mars' upper and lower jaws were broken, his lungs were punctured and collapsed, and his face was marked by lacerations.

"I can't believe it," said Gunn, who lives in northern Wisconsin. "How can anybody be so cruel, to hit somebody hard enough to beat them up and kill them?"

After Mars died, homicide detectives returned to the site where he was found. They discovered a bloody trail from the sidewalk, where Mars' body was found, to a vacant office building, according to the report.

Detectives discovered Farkas and Hamm inside the building and arrested both for trespassing, the report stated.

During interviews with the suspects, detectives learned that Farkas and Hamm were transients who had been living in the building with Mars.

Farkas told police Hamm and Mars were inside the building when Mars insulted Hamm's family. Hamm then proceeded to attack Mars, striking him in the face and head, according to the report.

Farkas said he and Hamm dragged Mars' body out of the building after the fight.

Blood evidence recovered at the scene matched the account given by Farkas, according to the report.

Mars' son declined to be interviewed. He confirmed that Mars had been homeless, and said he hadn't seen him in 16 years.

Gunn said she hadn't spoken with Mars since he left Wisconsin about 20 years ago, and he hadn't been in contact with the rest of the family.

Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.