Richard Basulto, 55

Richard Basulto, a 55-year-old Latino, was severely beaten Saturday, Nov. 29, in the 200 block of West Bygrove Street in Covina, authorities said. He died at the hospital the next morning, about 11 hours after the incident.

Covina Police Lt. Tim Doonan said Basulto had gotten into an argument with his brother-in-law about money. Martin Louis Silva, a 52-year-old black man, allegedly pushed Basulto, pinned him against some furniture, then punched him repeatedly in the face, Doonan said.

Basulto had one leg amputated at the knee because of complications from diabetes and was in a wheelchair, Doonan said. When paramedics arrived at the scene, Basulto was conscious and able to speak, but almost as soon as he got to the hospital his condition worsened, Doonan said.

Doonan said he had several fractures in his face, as well as cuts, scrapes and considerable swelling. The attack happened about 6:17 p.m. Nov. 29, and he was pronounced dead at 5:05 a.m. the next morning. The coroner listed his cause of death as blunt-force trauma to the head.

Silva was initially arrested on felony battery, Doonan said, but when Basulto died the charge was changed to murder.

-- Anthony Pesce