Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide detectives today arrested Kristian C. Brooks-Marlar (DOB 02-21-1984) of 2339 View Way in Lakeland for the beating death of Matthew Ross McCraney (DOB 06-16-1986) of 4630 Swindell Road in Lakeland.  The death occurred in the early morning hours of January 29, 2012 in Lakeland.

At approximately 2:40 a.m., Brooks-Marlar beat Matthew Ross McCraney unconscious. They were both at a party at 3455 Jarrod Lane in Lakeland.  They engaged in an argument then got involved in a physical confrontation.  The two men did not know each other.

According to witnesses at the scene Brooks-Marlar struck McCraney several times in the face with his fists, knocking McCraney to the ground. Brooks-Marlar continued to strike the victim and kicked him several times while he was down on the ground.  Brooks-Marlar then fled the scene.

Witnesses told deputies the suspect was not acting in self-defense and that there was no reason for him to attack the victim in such a violent matter.

According to initial results from the autopsy conducted by the Medical Examiner’s Office, McCraney suffered traumatic bleeding on the brain as a result of being punched in the head several times.

Kristian Brooks-Marlar’s criminal history consists of eight Misdemeanor charges and one Felony charge to include Traffic Offenses, Resisting without Violence, Burglary and Possession of Marijuana.  His most recent arrest was on 12/05/2010 for a Traffic Offense.