Second-degree murder charge in Kansas City beating death

A 26-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of another man found beaten Wednesday on a Kansas City sidewalk.

Thaddeus Thompson was also charged in Jackson County Circuit with armed criminal action in connection with the death of Eddie McCauley, 34, of Kansas City, whose body was found on a sidewalk in the 1200 block of East Eighth Street.

Bond for Thompson was set at $250,000.

Police said McCauley died from blunt-force trauma to the head.

Officers were summoned about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday and found McCauley. Witnesses told police they were walking by when they noticed the man, who was unresponsive.

According to court records:

Thompson, McCauley and several other men had been drinking and spent Tuesday night in a tent. The following morning, witnesses said Thompson became angry and accused McCauley of touching him inappropriately while they slept.

McCauley denied touching Thompson.

Thompson attacked McCauley with a metal rod and repeatedly yelled, “I’m not gay. I’m not like that,” records say.

After the attack, Thompson muttered, “he’s dead,” dropped the metal rod and ran west toward Eighth Street.

Thompson was arrested Wednesday evening and told investigators that he “snapped,” picked up the metal rod and attacked McCauley.

This story was originally published October 28, 2016 at 12:49 PM with the headline "Second-degree murder charge in Kansas City beating death."