3 people in custody in Vernal beating

VERNAL — Police have three people in custody in the beating of an 18-year-old man with a baseball bat.

Vernal Police Chief Gary Jensen said the people told investigators the victim gave them "a dirty look" Thursday night at a convenience store.

"Post-dirty look, the three (people) had a conversation in the store regarding getting a bat out of the back of their truck," Jensen said. "They proceeded to chase this kid down ... and then they hit him in the head with a baseball bat a couple times."

Police are not releasing the name of the victim, who was flown to a Salt Lake-area hospital in serious condition with head injuries. Jensen said the man was conscious on Friday.

Those arrested in the case are a 14-year-old boy, a 16-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man. Jensen said police believe the 23-year-old suggested retrieving the aluminum bat from the truck, but the 16-year-old was the one who used it to hit the man.

Detectives were still investigating the case Friday. No formal charges have been filed.

— Geoff Liesik