Man's beating death shocks tiny town of Millersburg

Just outside of Millersburg across Wiconisco Creek, Market Street bends off the main road and heads toward the mountains east of town.

Small homes line the two-lane road, buttressed by bright flower beds and front porches.

It was in one of these homes a white, older duplex, where 50-year-old Richard Blomgren was beaten nearly to death on the night of June 29.

When police arrived, they found Blomgren unconscious inside the house, and he was flown by helicopter to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

He died 14 days later from his injuries.

Another Millersburg man, 44-year-old Michael Smeltz, is in Dauphin County Prison, charged with his death.

The two men were acquaintances, if not friends.

When arrested, Smeltz told the state police he had been drinking on the night when Blomgren was beaten. Late that night he went to Blomgrens house, supposedly to visit his friend, police said.

But, according to documents, as he crossed the yard to Blomgrens house, someone told Smeltz his girlfriend was inside the home and she was naked.

According to the court documents, Smeltz went into Blomgrens home and grabbed the older man by his shirt. After punching him to the floor, Smeltz repeatedly kicked him before fleeing the home. Police did not disclose if the girlfriend was in Blomgrens house.

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Man's beating death shocks tiny town of Millersburg