Suspect Held In Beating Of CBS Newsmen

Victims Say Attack On Caribbean Island Was Hate Crime

(CBS/AP)  Police probing an attack on two CBS News employees on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten earlier this month have taken a suspect into custody. The victims say their attackers shouted anti-gay slurs.

St. Maarten Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein, who for two days refused to comment on local media reports that suspects had been detained, confirmed Wednesday that two men were picked up by police last week – one who has since been released, and another who is still in custody.

"This guy is talking," said Stein. "And according to the information he's giving us, we expect to arrest at least three other men."

Authorities have not released the names of any of the suspects.

Stein said the first two men detained by investigators were picked up at Bamboo Bernie's, the bar where New York tourists Dick Jefferson, 51, and Ryan Smith, 25, were attacked.

Jefferson, a senior broadcast producer at CBS News, and Smith, a production secretary at CBS News, were airlifted for medical treatment to Miami.

Jefferson was hospitalized for treatment of head and back injuries, was later released, and returned to work on Wednesday. Smith was very seriously injured, is being treated for brain damage and has aphasia, a disorder which makes speaking difficult, and which can be caused by trauma to the brain.

"He's medically in stable condition, but he faces a long, long recovery," says Jefferson.


Jefferson has faulted St. Maarten authorities for not collecting witness testimony on the night of the crime.

In a telephone interview with CBSNews.com Wednesday evening, Jefferson said he appreciates everything the prosecutor's office is doing but doesn't think the crime will be solved until more witnesses come forward.

"One witness does not make a case. There are many people who saw this happen," he said, adding that at least 25 people watched the attack.

Police have appealed to the public for help in the investigation.

The incident happened in the early morning hours of April 6 when Jefferson and Smith were standing outside a bar, with several friends.

Jefferson says the attack happened after Smith got a hug from a friend, comforting him over the recent death of a relative.

Jefferson says some men nearby began making anti-gay slurs.

"A white car came screaming out of nowhere and attempted to run us down," Jefferson said. "One came towards me with a tire wrench. I thought, 'What the hell?' and then I got whacked on the head. The next thing I know, I'm waiting for the ambulance."

St. Maarten, a popular Caribbean tourist destination that is thought to be gay-friendly, is shared by France and the Netherlands.