Harvey Sumpter, 80 [Updated]

Harvey Sumpter, an 80-year-old black man, died Friday, Feb. 19, more than four years after he was assaulted at his home in the 1500 block of West 83rd Street in Manchester Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Sumpter was attacked in his home on Aug. 12, 2005, suffering blunt-force trauma to his head.

Sumpter's death was initially listed as a homicide by coroner's officials because it could be related to the 2005 assault. However, Winter said the cause had been deferred until officials determined whether complications from his injuries played a role, Winter said.

Results from additional tests will not be available for another six to eight weeks.

[Updated Feb. 28, 2011: Coroner's officials ruled Sumpter's death as a homicide. He died because of his head trauma and complications from being in a persistent vegetative state.]

-- Sarah Ardalani