Cartersville Man Charged With Murder After Break-In, Burglary

CARTERSVILLE, GA — A Cartersville man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of an elderly man during a May 6 break-in at a home on Floral Drive.

WBHF Community Radio reports that Jason Monroe Eldridge was caught trying to burglarize the home of 86-year-old Calvin Lee. When a neighbor found Eldridge beating Lee with what appeared to be a board, the neighbor shot Eldridge and held him at gunpoint until authorities arrived, according to the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office.

Eldridge was taken to Cartersville Medical Center and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Lee was transported to an Atlanta-area hospital, where he died over the weekend as a result of his injuries.

Eldridge is charged with murder, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, exploitation and intimidation of elder persons, battery against a person who is 65 or older, criminal attempt to commit a felony, burglary, criminal damage to property, battery and criminal trespass.