High School Wrestler Faces Manslaughter Charges
A New Jersey high school wrestler faces a second-degree manslaughter charge after a punch killed a 46-year-old man in 2024 — yet he was still permitted to compete in the regional championship while awaiting trial.
Luke Humphrey, 18, is accused of punching Oron Beebe outside a bar in Mount Ephraim, Camden County, in March 2024. Beebe — a father of three — was found with severe head injuries and died in the hospital more than a week later. The Gloucester-Camden-Salem Medical Examiner's Office concluded the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, classified as a homicide.
Still Allowed to Compete While Awaiting Trial
Humphrey was 16 when he was arrested and charged as an adult. Court records show he was indicted in October 2024 for reckless manslaughter and a grand jury indictment in April 2025. Nevertheless, he transferred from Camden Catholic High School to Delsea Regional High School and competed in the regional championships on February 18, where he lost the match.
Coach Kurt DeWoody told NJ.com that the student was still allowed to compete because "he works hard" and "deserves to be there like any other student." The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association stated that there is no rule prohibiting students from competing while facing criminal charges.
Civil Lawsuit and Self-Defense Dispute
The victim's wife, Jennifer Beebe, filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against Humphrey and Bobby Ray's Black Horse Tavern, alleging that employees served alcohol to the minor and underage individuals before the altercation. The tavern and Humphrey's family deny that he was served alcohol.
According to the lawsuit, the Beebe couple left the tavern due to the behavior of the minor and his parents, after which a confrontation occurred outside. The complaint alleges that Humphrey "suddenly and without just cause" attacked, punching Beebe in the head, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground, sustaining catastrophic injuries that led to his death.
Humphrey's family claims he acted in self-defense after being threatened. A witness testified to hearing Humphrey say he knocked the victim out because he was threatened.
Humphrey's lawyer in the civil case denied his client drank alcohol that night. Bobby Ray Harris, the tavern owner, also denied the allegations, stating that no minors were served alcohol and employees were reminded to be vigilant.
Jury selection is expected to begin in March.
