ST. LOUIS (KSDK) - A St. Louis judge issued a life sentence Thursday to a 20-year-old man for the April 2011 death of a Vietnamese immigrant, who died as a result of injuries sustained in an unprovoked attack authorities called the "knockout game."
Elex Murphy was convicted April 10 of second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action for the attack on 72-year-old Hoang Hguyen and his 62-year-old wife.
The attack occurred on the morning of Saturday, April 16, 2011 in the 3800 block of S. Spring. Police said the Nguyens were attacked as they walked home in the after shopping at a nearby grocery market.
The victims were punched and kicked repeatedly by a group of young adults, who then ran from the scene when a car approached.
Hoang Nguyen fell to the ground after being struck and suffered a severe head injury. He died at a local hospital a short time later.
Days later, Elex Murphy was arrested and charged. Other suspects were sought for their roles in the attack, but no other arrests were made.
The judge sentenced Murphy to life on the murder charge and 25 years for the assaultcharge, per a jury's recommendation. The sentences will run consecutively.
