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Published March 11, 2010, 08:16 AM

Frustrating halt to an unsolved homicide

Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - A frustrating stop to an unsolved Fargo homicide case. Police and prosecutors have spent the last 8 months investigating the death of 47-year old Ronald Hammersmith who was assaulted on his way home from a Fargo bar in July, but still, no one is charged. The case isn't closed, and police have pointed to a potential suspect, but investigators say without your help, there's nothing more they can do.

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    Police and prosecutors have spent the last 8 months investigating the death of 47-year old Ronald Hammersmith who was assaulted on his way home from a Fargo bar in July, but still, no one is charged.

Family members tell WDAY they are upset. Investigators say they're frustrated that whoever assaulted Hammersmith, injuring him enough that he died hours later is still on the loose.

Birch Burdick/Cass County State's Attorney: None of us welcome the situation we find ourselves in, nor are we satisfied with it.

Police initially recommended prosecutors charge a 20-year old with manslaughter, but today, no one is behind bars, not even charges are pending. Burdick says they don't have enough evidence to win a case.

Birch Burdick: “I'm not questioning that the police had probably cause to submit this for review, but we do not believe we have enough evidence sufficient to successfully prosecute anybody for this crime at this time.”

The case isn't closed but the door to new leads appears to be. Police Chief Keith Ternes says without new information from the public, there is nothing left to investigate. He says he is happy with the work of investigators, but disappointed with the outcome.

Keith Ternes: “The police department has reached a point where we simply don't have anything further today, hopefully that changes tomorrow.”

Ternes says the assault appears to be a random act of violence and the public should not feel in danger, but he also says he makes no guarantees. If you have any information on the assault, call Fargo police.

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