Dennis Earl Clark, 41

Dennis Earl Clark, a 41-year-old black man, died from blunt-force trauma to the head Sunday, Jan. 3, in the 4600 block of East San Luis Street in Compton, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

The night before Clark died, he and his 28-year-old nephew had an argument that turned into a physical fight, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Lugo.

During that fight, the nephew struck Clark in the head with his fist, Lugo said. 

The next day, Clark seemed to be fine and his wife went shopping, Lugo said, but when she returned she found him unconscious in the bedroom. 

Clark had been bleeding in the brain, Lugo said. Clark was pronounced dead at 2:02 p.m. at his home, according to coroner’s records. The cause of death was attributed to a subdural hematoma caused by blunt-force trauma. 

Clark’s nephew, Ramon Antonio Velasquez Jr., a black man, was arrested and charged with murder. 

Velasquez pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Jan. 8, prosecutors said.  He is being held in lieu of $1-million bail. His next court date is a preliminary hearing March 9 in Department D of the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Compton.

Lugo said Clark was a caretaker for his wife and mother-in-law, who both have medical issues. Velasquez also lived in the home.

Anyone with information about the case should call the Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.  

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.