Two charged, 1 sought in lethal beating

Authorities say a homeless man beaten by three other homeless men in Haverhill in a dispute over a missing cellphone may die from his injuries. Two of the three suspects were ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty Wednesday to charges including attempted murder. Police are looking for a third suspect. The Eagle-Tribune reported that the victim, 41-year-old Charles Hamel, was in critical condition at a Boston hospital, breathing with a ventilator and suffering from serious cranial bleeding. Prosecutors say charges could be upgraded to murder if Hamel dies. They say the suspects kicked and beat the victim Monday evening with a wooden plank and a concrete column at a site along the Merrimack River where homeless people congregate. (AP)