COVINGTON — People gathered Thursday evening in Goebel Park to remember Barry Bailey, who had only recently escaped a life on the streets, eating at soup kitchens and staying at shelters before being slain about three weeks ago.

        The 47-year-old West Virginia native was fatally beaten with a baseball bat in the early hours of Sept. 17. The suspect in the case is his neighbor, Bill Chambers, 24.

Goebel Park was the scene of the annual Sleepout for the Homeless on Thursday. People who knew Barry Bailey recalled his life and mourned his death. He was beaten with a baseball bat. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        They lived on Perry Street in an apartment house on the fringes of the MainStrasse area. Mr. Bailey, who family members say was an alcoholic who spent years wandering from state to state, had lived there for about three months.

        The roof over his head became possible after he became eligible for disability — for head injuries that he sustained while living on the streets and getting into fights.

        The notion that his younger brother lived so many years as a homeless person galls Sonny Bailey, 51, of Indianapolis. He cried Thursday, the first time since his brother's death, before the park memorial service that was held in Barry Bailey's name.

        The service was part of the 12th annual Sleep-Out for the Homeless, which is intended to raise awareness about their plight.

        Advocates say that on any given night, 700,000 people are homeless. According to the Washington, D.C.-based National Coalition for the Homeless, in any given year, there are up to 2 million.

        “I wish that people could see the life that he lived to maybe better themselves,” Mr. Bailey said.

Sonny Bailey of Indianapolis with his children, Brooke, 12 (left), and boys Cole, 4, and Cory, 11. His wife, Jody, is at far right. | ZOOM |

        He hadn't talked to his brother in years. He said that he never thought his brother would turn to alcohol or a life on the streets. Their grandmother, who raised them, was a minister.

        He bowed his head as Sister Cathy Bauer of Villa Hills led the service, which included prayer and shared memories from Mr. Bailey's friends.

        They remembered Mr. Bailey as a good man who died a pointless death.

        Welcome House and Northern Kentucky Homeless and Housing Coalition, both of Covington, sponsored the Sleep-Out.

        Rachael Winters, a Welcome House services coordinator, helped Mr. Bailey move into the Perry Street apartment. Having a roof over his head brought him much joy, she said.

        Once known for a ratty-looking blanket that he draped over his neck and the grimy clothes that he wore, she said Mr. Bailey made a point of appearing clean once he had his own residence.

        “He was able to get clean,” she said. “He bought little tidbits (and) figurines for his coffee table. He really made a home.”

        While mourning Mr. Bailey's death, she concedes that he was an alcoholic who, as a tenant, let homeless people stay at his apartment, whether they wanted to just crash or throw a party.

        But, “I don't know why anybody would hurt him to kill him,” she said.

        Kenton District Judge Martin Sheehan bound the case over for a grand jury earlier on Thursday. The judge made that decision after hearing testimony from Covington Police Detective Ray Haley at a preliminary hearing.

        According to Detective Haley, Perry Street residents called police to report an assault on Mr. Bailey. They found him dead in the basement of his apartment house.

        Mr. Chambers made a statement about the killing, alerting police to a bloodied bat and shirt in a nearby alley, police said.

        They found the evidence and learned that Mr. Chambers had been drinking vodka when he knocked on Mr. Bailey's door to bum cigarettes.

        Mr. Bailey was with some of his homeless friends, also alcoholics, the police detective testified. When they couldn't supply any smokes, Mr. Chambers became upset.

        “He got tired of it, and he just hit him,” Detective Haley said.

        They were outside when Mr. Chambers hit Mr. Bailey in the face with his fist and then picked up a bat, police said. He hit him several times outside, police said. They found blood pooled near a fence.

        Mr. Chambers said he then visited a neighbor across the street before returning and beating Mr. Bailey some more in the basement, police said.

        He told residents there about the crime, police said.

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