Man faces murder charge in victim’s death

A 35-year-old homeless man was charged with second-degree murder Thursday in the beating death of another homeless man in Chinatown two weeks ago.

Michael Abella allegedly punched a 57-year-old man multiple times July 17 on Smith Street.

The 57-year-old victim died Tuesday at a hospital, where he had been hospitalized since the beating. The Medical Examiner’s Office has not identified the victim, but said the case has been classified as a homicide. The victim died of complications caused by blunt force head injuries and hemorrhaging.

Paramedics treated the man at 8:45 p.m. July 17 on Smith Street for a small cut to his head. However, the patient refused to be taken to the hospital, Emergency Medical Service reported. Paramedics were called back to the same location an hour later when the victim said he had been punched multiple times and had more intensive injuries, EMS said. An ambulance took the man in serious condition to the hospital.

The suspect was originally arrested July 17 on suspicion of third-degree assault at Bishop and Bere­ta­nia streets. He was released without charges for assault but rearrested Thursday near Thomas Square on the murder charge. Bail was set at $200,000.