John Abiley was described by those who saw him daily near School and Liliha Streets as Santa Claus; the man with the long white beard who was gentle and quiet.
"I never saw him give anybody any gaff or even so much as make a sound," said Benjamin Maher who owns a business on School Street where Abiley often visited. "Obviously he’s homeless he carries everything he has with him."
Yes, the 64-year-old Abiley was homeless but he was also harmless.
"He wasn’t one of those ones that walks around talking to the sky or to the cars or something," said Maher.
On Friday, August 5th, police say Abiley was sitting at this bus stop when a man started punching and kicking him. He died from the beating six days later.
"It’s sad to know that he’s gone, he’s a human being he has a right to be somewhere," said Maher.
But Abiley was more than a human being, he was also a father of 10 children who are mourning their loss.
"I am so upset. You guys took my father from me, he ain’t never bothered nobody," said daughter Shannon Abiley.
"If they’re homeless they still have a right to live just like any other human being," said son, Jerome Abiley. "Why somebody would do that? I don’t know."
Jerome Abiley said he tried to get his father off the streets in May.
"I took him in got him cleaned up but he didn’t want to stay with me no more and stuff because he was so used to that lifestyle," he said. "What when happen to dad that’s what I was afraid of."
On August 28, John Abiley would have turned 65.
On August 27th his youngest daughter that he never met was going to get married. He was expected to attend the wedding. She’s now helping plan his funeral.
"I haven’t met him before and the first time I meet him is in a hospital fighting for his life," said daughter Daraeanne King.
Monday police arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of murder. Witnesses helped identify the suspect. The teen was released pending further investigation. He was not charged.
"Whoever did this, I don’t care how old they are, they need to pay for it! Because they took his life," said daughter Lisa Leonard.
"What would make a 17-year-old kid, do such a thing to an old man. Who is basically defenseless the guy can barely walk around," said Maher.
The family is hoping justice will be served.
"It just hurts so bad – to take my dad’s life from us," said Shannon Abiley.
"Whoever did that to my dad should pay," said Jerome Abiley.
Police are still investigating. Prosecutors have yet to receive the case.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
