Two charged in US with torturing Aussie

An Australian tourist was celebrating his 26th birthday and in the middle of a round-the-world holiday when he was bashed and burned alive in a fire pit on a Californian beach.

Robert Schneider remains in a medically induced coma with third-degree burns and his parent are calling on the local beach community to help catch his attackers.

US prosecutors have already filed torture and assault charges against two men accused of taking turns kicking Robert and bashing him with a skateboard before throwing his near-comatose body in a pit of burning wood.

Robert was eventually dragged from the pit, on San Diego's Ocean Beach, by a homeless man — but not before Robert suffered severe burns to his torso and legs as well as a fractured skull and face, local police said.

The brutal attack happened on February 27, the night of Robert's 26th birthday.

His mother, Judy Schneider, said to television news station NBC San Diego: "Having a brawl on the beach is one thing. But beating a kid to death? And who throws a kid in a fire?"

She and husband Peter have been by their son's side at a Californian hospital for the past three weeks while Robert has undergone repeated skin grafts and surgeries, NBC reports.

Local police are looking for two transients known to the area, 21-year-old Damian Maple and 46-year-old Frank Montoya.

San Diego Police Lieutenant John Leas said the two suspects met Robert on Ocean Beach and shared a few drinks around a fire before a fight broke out.

"Eventually when they were done [bashing Robert] and he was almost comatose, they proceeded to put him into the fire ring where they had been burning about six different pallets of wood," Lt. Leas said.

The San Diego County district attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis today filed torture and assault charges against Maple and Montoya.

"In serious case like this one, it's not unusual for us to file criminal charges against defendants before they are in custody," Mr Dumanis said.

"The victims in this case deserve justice and anyone with information is asked to contact local law enforcement."

Maple and Montoya will be profiled on FOX TV's America's Most Wanted show on March 30. Between them they face seven felony counts and up to life in prison if convicted.

ninemsn 28 March 2008