Following his death, charges against his attacker are expected to be upgraded to murder
TRENTON -- Authorities say a 60-year-old man who was viciously attacked, robbed and left unconscious on a South Trenton street earlier this month has died.
Stephen Merrill died late Wednesday at Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he had been on life support, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said. He had suffered a brain bleed, collapsed lung and multiple broken bones.
Jonathan WeathersMerrill was well-known in the city's art and music scene, having volunteered at Art All Night and other events.
"He was into anything arts, entertainment, culture and music in the city," said T.C. Nelson, owner of Trenton Social, which Merrill frequented several times a week. "He was a well-liked person."
His alleged attacker, Jonathan Weathers, 25, of Trenton, currently faces attempted murder and robbery charges. But prosecutors said at his bail hearing Wednesday that the charges would be upgraded to murder if Merrill succumbed to his injuries.
Prosecutors said Weathers was driving his girlfriend's car on South Broad Street looking for someone to rob at about 1 a.m. on Aug. 2 when he saw Merrill. Weather's girlfriend, who was in the car, tried to talk him out of the robbery, but he stopped the car and ordered her to stay in the driver's seat, prosecutors said.
Weathers then beat Merrill and took his leather wallet, cell phone and Fitbit exercise tracker, prosecutors said.
Neighbors found him lying unconscious on the ground about two hours later near his Lamberton Street home.
Nelson said Merrill was at Trenton Social the night before, but had left by about 10 or 11 p.m.
"It's heartbreaking," he said. "When (his three daughters) would come to town, they would hang out with Dad, listen to music in the bar and they were like family here."
Weathers' bail was maintained at $500,000 on Wednesday.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.