Man Charged In Beating Death Of Homeless Man

DENVER, CO – The Denver District Attorney's Office announced that charges were filed against a man in connection with the death of an elderly man outside a Denver homeless shelter last week.

Jonathan Diaz-Jimenez, 27, was charged Nov. 23 with second-degree murder in the death of 66-year-old Anthony Lanford, the DA's office said Tuesday.

The charges allege that on the morning of Nov. 18, 2018, near Park Avenue and Lawrence Street, Diaz-Jimenez asked Lanford for money, but when the Lanford said he didn’t have any, Diaz-Jimenez began punching Lanford, who collapsed to the ground. Two people assisted Lanford to his feet. Diaz-Jimenez is accused of hitting one of them and running away with his sunglasses.

Lanford collapsed to the ground again, unresponsive, prosecutors said. A surveillance camera from the nearby Samaritan House Homeless Shelter recorded the incident.

Police arrested Diaz-Jimenez near Park Avenue and Broadway the same day.

Diaz-Jimenez is scheduled to next appear in court on Nov. 29.

Image via Denver District Attorney's Office

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