Man Convicted in Deaf Samaritan Richard Bumstead’s Death

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A man has been found guilty in the fatal beating of a deaf man who tried to help a woman in need.

A jury took about 30 minutes Thursday to find Scott Colby, 26, of Grand Rapids guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Richard Bumstead’s death, The Grand Rapids Press reported.

He faces up to 15 years behind bars, although Colby could be sentenced to more time because he is a habitual offender. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 15.

The other man charged in the beating, Jeffrey Lach of Cutlerville, is still awaiting trial for felony assault in the case.

Colby’s lawyer had told jurors his client was not involved in the March 29 attack outside a bar.

But prosecutors argued Bumstead was a hero. They said he was attacked after coming to the aid of a female friend who had been arguing with Lach.

Colby apparently told Bumstead to get away, and when Bumstead didn’t react because he was deaf, Colby either punched or shoved him, prosecutors said.

Bumstead died after his head hit the cement, according to testimony.

“Mr. Bumstead saw a man manhandling a woman and he did what all of us would like to think we would do: He risked his personal safety to go to her aid, and I hope this brings some measure of justice,” Kent County Assistant Prosecutor David Schieber said after the verdict.

Sue Ellen McCreary, Bumstead’s sister, said the jury’s decision makes it clear her brother was one of the good guys.

“This has re-established my faith in the system,” she said.