The man accused of attacking his roommate in a Maple Shade nursing home in January had one of his charges upgraded to murder after the victim died from his injuries, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said Friday.
David P. Lake, 51, of Maple Shade, is still in custody and was arrested Jan. 19 after he attacked his roommate while in bed at the Palace Rehabilitation and Care Center on West Mill Road, authorities said.
Melvyn Waldo, 78, who was immobile and nonverbal, was taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden in critical condition, authorities said. He died there March 5 after suffering severe facial trauma and bleeding on his brain, officials said.
The investigation began after Maple Shade police and the Maple Shade First Aid Squad were dispatched to the facility in the morning on Jan. 17 for a report of an assault. Park was charged with attempted murder at the time.
Lake was taken to another medical facility for a psychiatric evaluation, authorities previously said. He is still being lodged at Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly.
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Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.
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