Scott Kastner identified following fatal beating in Burlington
By Michael Donoghue - Vermont News First
Ten days after his death, Scott Kastner, 42, was identified Tuesday as the man that died following a vicious beating at Burlington City Hall Park, city police said.
Police said today they are still waiting for a cause and manner of death ruling for the Burlington man from the office of Vermont's Chief Medical Examiner Elizabeth Bundock.
An obituary from a Pittsfield, Mass. funeral home reported Kastner died on Saturday Aug. 16 and left behind four children.
The attack by juveniles happened the afternoon of Monday Aug. 11 about 1:30 p.m., police said.
A week later, Vermont News First, citing sources, was the first news outlet to report the victim had died sometime over the weekend.
Interim Police Chief Shawn Burke confirmed the death.
Burlington Police said it had officers on foot patrol on Church Street on Aug. 11 when they came across the assault in progress with the injured man.
The three juveniles fled on foot and by bicycle in broad daylight, but the officers were able to chase down the suspects, Lt. Mike Henry said.
The three youths, believed to be roughly 14 to 16 years old, are facing proceedings in Vermont Family Court. Those proceedings are confidential and have very limited consequences due to the lack of rehabilitation services for youthful offenders within Vermont.
One suspect carried a gun, and police determined it was displayed while they attacked the victim, Henry reported. He said additional arrests were anticipated.
The victim was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center for treatment of critical injuries. His condition went downhill in recent days.
For unknown reasons Burlington Police withheld the name of the injured man for a week and continued to refrain from releasing his name even after he died and funeral arrangements were being made.
The funeral service for Kastner is planned for Saturday Sept. 6 at 11:30 a.m. outdoors at the Unity Terrace at Dwyer-Wellington Funeral Home, 220 East Street, Pittsfield MA 01201.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact Burlington Police Detective Zach Beal at zbeal@bpdvt.org or at (802) 540-2364.