A 26-year-old St. Petersburg man punched his mother’s fiance in April, leading to the man’s death months later and a murder charge, police said.
Michael Wood, 26, was initially charged with aggravated battery after the April 10 incident that left 37-year-old Kenneth McMurray hospitalized, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department. After McMurray died from his injuries Sunday, police amended the charge to second-degree murder.
Wood and McMurray got into an argument on the sidewalk in front of the family’s home in the 2300 block of 15th Ave. Yes, according to an arrest affidavit. Wood struck McMurray in the head at least twice with his fist, knocking McMurray unconscious, according to the affidavit. McMurray fell backwards and hit his head on the pavement, causing severe brain bleeding.
In an interview with police, Wood admitted to punching McMurray, according to the affidavit.
Wood was being held Monday in the Pinellas County Jail, records show.
