Fourth teen arrested in Salina homicide

January 13, 2011|By Eyewitness News

(SALINA,Kan.) — (AP) - Police in Salina say four teenagers have been arrested in the death of a 48-year-old man.

Robert Unselt had been involved in a fight with several young people outside a Salina home around 2 a.m. Sunday. He died that night.

Deputy Police Chief Carson Mansfield told KSAL radio three of the male teenagers were arrested early Thursday. The fourth was taken into custody Thursday afternoon.

Three of the suspects are 19 years old. The other is 18.

A preliminary autopsy showed Unselt died of repeated blows that caused massive head trauma.

Unselt's wife said she saw three people beating her husband and running away after he collapsed.

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Update, January 12

Police in Salina are now considering the death of Robert Unselt a homicide. An autopsy report shows that Unselt died from multiple blows.

Eyewitnesses tell police Unselt was involved in a disturbance with three suspects when he was injured. Police say two of the three were wearing dark clothing and the third was wearing a white hoodie or puffy coat. They were last seen on Tulane, south bound on foot.

The Salina Police Department is also asking anyone with information to please call the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210, Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637) or visit www.pd.salina.org and follow the Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip.

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Original Story, January 11

Allen Unselt, the brother of Robert Unselt, said it all happened too fast.

“One person can keep a secret, but three people can't."

Early Sunday morning, Salina police say something happened between Robert Unselt and three people.

"My little brother was lying on the ground unconscious and we could not wake him," says Allen Unselt.

Robert Unselt died Sunday night at Salina regional medical center. Initial reports say he suffered a fractured skull. The incident happened in the driveway across the street from the Unselt’s home in southwest Salina. A neighborhood Allen Unselt calls dangerous.

"Your backyard is not safe; you cannot have anything outside, it used to be a nice neighborhood."

There are still many questions - why did Unselt go outside and what happened between he and the three other people? Police are investigating his death as suspicious.

"You need the community to help, that's how you solve crimes."

The family is asking anyone with any information for help.

"People call in tips, little things it all matters," says Allen Unselt.

Salina police echoed the plea from the family.

"It’s very limited, so were really seeking the help from the public in trying to identify these three individuals," says Capt. Mike Sweeney of the Salina police department.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday in Topeka; police say the preliminary results of that autopsy will be a vital part to the case.

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