Newport man beaten to death; 'Belligerent' guest arrested

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A Newport man died shortly after telling police he was beaten in the head and the body by an "intoxicated and belligerent" person who had been asked to leave the home the night before Thanksgiving.

Just before 9 p.m. that night, police came to the residence, 207 Northwest 15th Street, and talked with Jeffrey Sutton, authorities said. Sutton told them Mark Rodgers began a fist fight when he was told to leave. Other witnesses also told police Rodgers repeatedly punched Sutton in the head and the body with a closed fist.

While talking with officers, Sutton began to have trouble breathing. Medics were called and began CPR, but despite their efforts Sutton died at 9:33 p.m., authorities said.

Rodgers, 68, was arrested and booked in the Lincoln County Jail on second-degree murder and second-degree assault.