A homeless man is facing a homicide charge after a man he punched in a dispute over a backpack died from his injuries.
Robert Walter Baker, 38, had been charged with homicide by assault, a third-degree felony, in 3rd District Court.
According to court documents, Baker confronted Delpatrick Longacre, 58, about a backpack on May 31. Witnesses told police that Baker punched Longacre, who fell and hit his head on the ground; Baker then ran away.
When Salt Lake Police arrived at the scene, 235 S. 500 West, at about 11:17 p.m., they found Longacre unconscious and struggling to breathe. He was taken to the University of Utah Medical Center suffering from “significant brain bleeding” and a “severe” skull fracture. Tests showed no brain activity; he died on June 2.
According to police, Baker told them he “confronted” Longacre “about his stolen backpack,” and Longacre “got in his face and raised his right arm like he was going to hit him.” Baker admitted he hit Longacre “on the right side of his face with his left elbow,” causing him to fall to the ground. According to an autopsy, Longacre died from blunt force trauma.
Baker is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail; his bail has been set at $1 million.
