High school wrestler found not guilty in 2024 death of man he punched in South Jersey
Luke Humphrey was 16 years old when he punched Oron C. Beebe Jr., who fell and suffered a head injury. The 46-year-old man later died at the hospital.
A high school wrestler was found not guilty Wednesday of manslaughter by a Camden County jury in the 2024 death of a 46-year-old man who suffered a fatal head injury in a fall after being punched by the teen.
Luke Humphrey, now 18, was a 16-year-old from Collingswood when he punched Oron C. Beebe Jr. in the parking lot outside a Walgreens on West Kings Highway in Mount Ephraim around 10:40 p.m. on March 23, 2024, authorities said at the time. Police found Beebe lying on the ground with a head injury.
Beebe, of Mount Ephraim, was ultimately transported to Cooper University Hospital, where he died on March 31, 2024, Easter Sunday.
Humphrey was initially charged with second-degree aggravated assault, but later was charged as an adult with second-degree manslaughter and related offenses after Beebe died.
During the trial, witnesses testified that Beebe and Humphrey’s father got into an argument after leaving Bobby Ray’s Black Horse Tavern across the street from the Walgreens, NJ.com reported.
In 2024, the owner of the tavern told Fox29 Beebe and his wife were there for dinner, while the 16-year-old, his parents, and other high school wrestling families and coaches were there in a different part of the establishment watching the NCAA wrestling championship finals. The owner said the two groups didn’t cross paths inside the tavern.
However, an altercation occurred outside, and the teen testified during his trial that he threw the punch because he feared for his family’s safety, NJ.com reported.
Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay said in a statement after the verdict: “We respect the jury’s verdict and appreciate the time and careful consideration they devoted to this case. We are, however, disappointed that the outcome does not deliver justice for the Beebe family. We will continue to support and pray for the family and friends of Oron C. Beebe. The impact he has left on our community will not be forgotten.”
Attorney Robert Agre, who represented Humphrey, could not be reached for comment.
Beebe, who was known by his nickname “Snook,” worked for UPS and coached youth sports, including Bellmawr Hockey as well as Mount Ephraim and GC Brawlers baseball, his obituary said.
“Snook was a family man. He was never shy with his hugs. Everyone who had the opportunity to have a beer with Snook walked away his family. He could often be found playing cornhole with his boys or lounging at the shore. He was happiest watching his kids do what they love, playing hockey, baseball, and football,” his obituary said.
Humphrey was a wrestler at Camden Catholic High School in 2024. He is now a senior at Delsea Regional High School, where he joined the wrestling team and competed in February.