A Phoenix man is facing a second-degree murder charge after police say he beat his 76-year-old roommate with a construction helmet during an argument over $50 meant for their electric bill.
The attack happened April 30 at the home Troy Yazzie, 31, shared with Manuel Martinez near I-17 and 23rd Avenue in west Phoenix. According to court documents, Martinez had given Yazzie $50 to pay toward the electric bill. When the bill wasn’t paid, Martinez asked for his money back.
Police say Martinez called 911 himself after the confrontation. When officers arrived, they found him bleeding with severe injuries. Martinez told investigators Yazzie had punched him and repeatedly struck him in the face with a white construction helmet. A CT scan later showed multiple facial fractures requiring surgery.
Martinez spent weeks receiving medical treatment and rehabilitation before developing additional complications. He was taken back to a Phoenix hospital and passed away July 15, roughly 10 weeks aft...