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BG man pleads not guilty to murder charge

By Laura McVicker
Published: July 1, 2010, 12:00am

A Battle Ground man pleaded not guilty Thursday morning to second-degree murder in the 2009 fatal beating of 24-year-old Curtis Dunn.

Clark County Superior Court Judge Diane Woolard set trial for Dec. 13.

Veniamin V. Tasmaly, 27, is being held in the Clark County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

Tasmaly was arrested June 7 in connection with the April 12, 2009, fatal assault of Dunn outside his home in the 200 block of Southwest 19th Avenue in Battle Ground.

Investigators zeroed in on Tasmaly after learning he had been in the area that night — he was reportedly stopped by the police 15 minutes before the assault for allegedly being belligerent and intoxicated, according to court documents. In addition, a shoe left at the crime scene allegedly revealed a DNA match with Tasmaly, police said.

The assault occurred after Dunn had stepped outside to smoke a cigarette at about 12:30 a.m., and apparently encountered Tasmaly, who had been walking to his nearby parked car, according to police. Investigators don’t know what precipitated the attack, though neighbors heard shouting and have speculated a dispute took place. The men didn’t know each other.

According to affidavits filed with the court, Dunn’s girlfriend found him lying injured outside the home. A dark-colored vehicle with tinted windows was seen speeding away.

Dunn was rushed to Southwest Washington Medical Center, where he died the following day. Though police initially believed he may have been hit by a car, a medical examiner later concluded Dunn died from a blow to the face.

Tasmaly has retained attorney Steve Thayer to represent him.

Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.

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