Charge upgraded to second-degree murder in death of St. Catharines man

A 34-year-old man is now facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of a 68-year-old St. Catharines man late last month.

Raymond Douglas Warner, of no fixed address, was initially charged on Aug. 20 with aggravated assault after four men had encountered the victim in the area of Merritt Steet and Townline Road East in St. Catharines on Aug. 10. There was a confrontation between the men and the victim at the time.

The man who was assaulted succumbed to his injuries in hospital on Aug. 27.

Niagara Regional Police subsequently upgraded the initial charge of aggravated assault to second-degree murder.

Warner appeared in court on Wednesday in St. Catharines and was remanded into custody.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009134.

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To provide information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara at 1-800-222-8477 or visit their website at www.crimestoppersniagara.ca.