Man charged with murder after victim of beating in Clovis dies

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The man arrested for the beating death of an elderly man has been formally charged with homicide.

Clovis police say 37-year-old Joseph Wright beat the man on Dec. 30th in a parking lot at Clovis and Herndon Avenues while stealing his cell phone.

Multiple 911 calls were received around 8:00 a.m. to report the elderly man lying on the sidewalk and that he appeared to be injured.

Police found the man suffering from a head wound outside a store and EMS transported him to the hospital in critical condition.

An employee inside the store gave officers a description of the man they say assaulted the victim.

Officers searched the area and located Wright, who they say still had the victim’s cell phone.

[RELATED] Valley law enforcement talks about needed criminal reform

He was arrested on charges related to robbery and battery.

The 78-year-old victim died in the hospital on Jan. 11th.

On Feb. 6th, Fresno County District Attorney’s Office charged Wright with one count of homicide at the Fresno Superior Court.

He remains in custody at the Fresno County Jail.