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ELKO, Nev. (AP) - Elko County prosecutors have dropped attempted murder charges against a Utah man accused of beating a hitchhiker and leaving him for dead in the desert.
The Elko Daily Free Press reports all 10 charges were dropped against 35-year-old William Lose of Taylorsville because prosecutors couldn't tie blood stains to the alleged victim, Wayne Gattke, or locate him to testify at this week's preliminary hearing.
Authorities say Gattke was seeking a ride to Salt Lake City last month when Lose picked him up at a truck stop in West Wendover.
Lose allegedly pulled off U.S. Highway 93-A and pistol whipped Gattke, who lost a lot of blood but managed to walk more than a mile for help.
Gattke identified Lose as his assailant, but since cut off contact with police.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 8/29/2013 4:11:54 AM (GMT -6:00)
