Recordpub.com - Victim of attack in Kent dies ... Christopher Kernich, 23, beaten Nov. 15; two held

By Dave O’Brien

Record-Courier staff writer

Christopher Kernich, the 23-year-old Kent State University student severely beaten Nov. 15 in downtown Kent, died Saturday afternoon at Akron City Hospital.

The Kent Police Department confirmed the death. Sara Syroka, a friend of Kernich’s from KSU, said he died at 4:30 p.m. at Akron City Hospital.

“Chris’ death is a tragic reminder that violence, whether provoked or unprovoked — regardless of the reason, is never the answer. May we learn something from this incident, for our own sake and in Chris’ memory,” KSU President Lester Lefton said in a statement Saturday.

Kernich allegedly was attacked on East Main Street near DePeyster Street in the early morning hours of Nov. 15 by at least two men in what Kent police say was an unprovoked assault.

Adrian A. Barker, 21, and Ronald G. Kelly, 20, both of Akron, were arrested following the incident and charged with felonious assault.

A third man said to be with them at the time of the incident has not yet been charged in the case.

Barker and Kelly were indicted Thursday on charges of felonious assault in connection with Kernich’s assault.

Barker also faces a felony charge of obstructing official business for allegedly lying to police the night of the alleged beating.

Both men remain incarcerated in the Portage County jail on $75,000 cash bond each. It is not yet known when they may face new charges or court dates, in light of Kernich’s death.

Known to friends as “CK,” Kernich celebrated his 23rd birthday Nov. 12, according to his online Twitter account. A support page for him on Facebook was full of comments on his passing, most expressing condolences to his parents, John and Sherry. The family is from Fairborn, near Dayton.

“Our prayers are with you all. Your son touched many, many lives,” one supporter wrote. “You were an amazing charismatic person and I will miss you,” wrote another.

“I’ll always love you buddy. No day will go by where I don’t think about you,” wrote a third.

In the statement posted Saturday on the KSU Web site, Lefton said, “The entire Kent State community sends our heartfelt condolences to Chris’ family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Losing a loved one is never easy, particularly if it is a result of a senseless tragedy.”

Syroka said a fund-raiser to benefit Kernich and his family will go forward at 9 p.m. Tuesday at Brewhouse Pub, 244 N. Water St. in Kent. The cover charge is $5. All proceeds will be donated to the Kernich family.

124.	Posted by buzbetarver December 18, 2009
	Do not forget why you live this miracle called 'life'. Christmas is about the human birth of Christianity upon Earth "praise God". He indwells in us all if you seek Him for it is the fourth part of the eternal life. Heed my words if you will because you turn away from Christ- because as humans, we are afraid of the real truth! He brought the miracle of life upon Earth to show us how the creation is a divine gift. But we take for granted His Gift, so our freewill gives us doubt. The good news is He still loves us but we must 'believe' and not let Satan guide our freewill for his purpose. Chris now knows that all the trappings of Earth's glory doesn't compare to the glory of Heaven. Beauty fades, things wear out and feelings subside, but God's Love is 'forever'...

122.	Posted by buzbetarver December 14, 2009
	Lord: The life of Chris Kernich is no more on Earth and those that are here shall miss him deeply. I pray that his spirit on Earth has lifted Your Name in glory and when we all are weak in our sinful nature, you look deep in our heart of hearts and know that we love you and believe in Your Promise of everlasting life in Heaven with The Father! These two people have broken one of Your Ten Commandments and we shall know that Your Law supercedes human law and acrid ridicule and mockery! I pray for the survivors, Lord. Let them who lose life, freedom and peace on this Earth by any circumstance turn to You, repent their evil ways and find faith, hope and love... Amen.

120.	Posted by buzbetarver December 12, 2009
	I also want to interject to everyone: No one knows how or when they will die and if you believe in God or practice the will of Satan, your soul (spirit) does not die with your body! God promises eternal life while Satan can only bargain life with you on Earth. Sure, success is awesome but if you don't care for your fellow man, it is vanity and greed alone. Babies that die of 'natural causes' are angels of The Lord. People that are killed by auspicious means, die violently or are victims of murder usually are in a place where they do not belong and innocents in death are killed by evil forces due to the freewill of Satan. The Angel Of Death is sent by God for relieve the spirit from your body to face judgement, so rerent sin and start a relationship with the one true Creator of Life. Do Christians sin? You bet! We all fall short of the Glory, but God loves us so much that He sacrificed His only Son so that our sins are forgiven. Act as a new born and live for the promise of everlasting life or perish because you bargain and are controlled by Satan. May you find peace on the birthday of Jesus and beyond... Shalom!

119.	Posted by buzbetarver December 12, 2009
	MissMiss I also pleaded with him to get back to the story to which he took every word I said as either a threat or untruth in his loose interpretation. I am at fault at engaging his immaturity and vulnerability, but I was having fun and God help me I know it was wrong and I apologize to you all. As for defending murderers, my life on Earth is not to judge ANYONE, for only God will judge your work on this planet and I hope that we all know the will of Him, His Son and the Holy Spirit inside all of us! Who are we to speak on the life expectancy of anyone and how long they shall live and die? We cannot question the motive of our spiritual life because it is seperate from the flesh. Do you know what happens every 2,000 years or so? Think of the history and read your Bible and get a clear perspective of life. Before the flood of Earth and Noah's Ark, science fortold us of life on Earth's surface being shaped by ice, earthquakes and volcanoes (dinosaurs and early man). And not giving any credence to the release of the movie "2012", but God let's sin manifest for about the same amount of years, then wipes the slate clean because he loves His Creation so much that He gives it another chance. So I sleep wonderful at night knowing I have a relationship with The Trinity... I never disagreed with whydoIcare, I merely exposed his harsh judgement towards me for no reason at all, he got personal, he was wrong and he is a catalyst for hate speak. And I thank you for coming back after all of that nonsense... but make sure you go back to everything I have posted to form your opinion!

117.	Posted by missmiss December 10, 2009
	Oh, man! Where have we lost the story of Chistopher Kernich and turned it into a verbal attack/assault of one another? whydoicare post #112...nothing about this case, including any of the posts that I have read has brought me any humor!!! In my opinion, this is a sad, sad case! Buzbetarver...While I sympathize with your personal situation about your brother and all, and I do agree that you make some valid points, you lost me on your last post. I personally have a question for you... How do you sleep at night defending these murderers? You say, and I do believe you, that your brother was attacked in a violent way, and died as a result of his injuries...and I commend you on your ability to forgive, but, I don't understand how you can be so quick to judge others for their inability to forgive as easily as you do? Why are you speaking so harshly to whydoicare for speaking his/her opinion? They are entitled to their opinion just as you are entitled to yours!!! Just and FYI, I am a firm believer in my religion! I am pround of you for speaking from the gospel...but, I don't think you should be judging others so harshly even if you do not agree with them!

116.	Posted by buzbetarver December 9, 2009
	A-S-S-A-U-L-T ASSAULT!! Man what are you people leaning at that fine institution they call a college? I don't think you think it's funny, you're jealous because you can't match my intellect! I chuckle at your candor, laugh at your linguistics, phoo phoo your paraphrasing, am tickled by your tanacity and viciously vex your verbal vernacular! I'm trying to talk with you about the case, but you forgot about why your here being lambasted by me!! Remember Mr Kernich and why we are given the 5th Amendment. Will you please answer any of my questions, college grad? Have you heard anything... a different news source, any rumours or innuendoes? I want to know how you feel about his plea and I promise I'll stop! Impress me with any hypothesis you may have because we are stopping others from responding as well...

115.	Posted by buzbetarver December 9, 2009
	Alright, enough of this trivial ******* contest that you're keeping on the grill! I never asked you to fear me, but I'm sure you go up to people all the time and disrespect anyone any size any age any color with a reasonable opinion with that education you have! You did share with us all that you are a former KSU grad, so I described myself too! You're having a problem with anything I say, so you have picked me to sling your irrational fluff at. You can dish it out, but you can't take it, so now you are the little lab rat that I hold by the tail twisting and squealing!!! Now I beg of you, reply to me about the case IF YOU CAN!! What say ye about the plea of Adrian Barker? What are your feeling about that? And how would you plead if you were in the same situation?