Man pleads not guilty in assault in Laguna Beach that left victim with brain injury

A man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony charges in connection with an assault in Laguna Beach, according to court records.

Laguna Beach police responded Monday to a report of an assault at 1:17 p.m. at Laguna Avenue and South Coast Highway.

Someone had pushed and kicked the victim, who suffered significant head injuries, police said. The victim was taken to Mission Hospital and later admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment of a brain injury, police said.

Authorities said witnesses identified Samuel Beaton, 49, as a suspect, and he was arrested and booked into Orange County Jail with bail set at $25,000, according to jail records.

Beaton, whom authorities described as a transient, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and one felony count of battery with serious bodily injury. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing May 14.

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