Jonathan Weathers, 26, was initially charged with attempted murder and robbery charges
TRENTON -- Charges have been upgraded against a man accused of brutally beating and robbing 60-year-old Stephen Merrill, who died after being hospitalized with serious injuries.
Jonathan Weathers Jonathan Weathers, 26, is now being charged with first-degree felony homicide, police records show. He initially faced attempted murder and robbery charges.
He remains in jail on $1 million bail.
Merrill died last Wednesday after he was taken off life support.
Prosecutors have 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. His 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, taking his leather wallet, cell phone and Fitbit exercise tracker, prosecutors said.
Neighbors found Merrill lying unconscious on the ground about two hours later near his Lamberton Street home.
Prosecutors said Weathers spent the cash on cigarettes before later trying to burn the wallet and, when that didn't work, threw it in the sewer. Weathers also stashed Merrill's phone in the bushes outside of a house where he was staying, prosecutors said.
Weathers was out on bail at the time on a domestic violence charge. His defense attorney said during his bail hearing that there was no intent to kill Merrill during the robbery.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.