Judge Karen Howze ordered Melvin Kenneth George released under high-intensity supervision Thursday for the deadly assault of 46-year-old Jeffrey Coleman on May 24.
He was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of second-degree murder in connection with Coleman’s death on Sept. 18, three months after the alleged assault.
Police found Coleman unconscious and bleeding from the face in the 2300 block of Pitts Place, Southeast. Coleman suffered from multiple facial fractures and doctors inserted a catheter into his brain, according to charging documents, but he never regained consciousness.
A witness told police that it and George, and another individual were playing cards in an apartment when George became angry, and an argument occurred, documents say. As the altercation escalated, the owner of the apartment told everyone to leave.
According to documents, the witness said while leaving, George followed them outside and continued the argument. George and Coleman were facing each other when George pushed and then kicked Coleman, knocking him to the ground, court documents say.
As Coleman was on the ground, George continuously beat Coleman in his head and upper body area, even as he lost consciousness, documents state.
On May 24, the night he was arrested, two witnesses identified George as the man who assaulted Coleman in a photo array conducted by police, according to documents. At the time, George was charged with aggravated assault. That case is still pending.
George is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge John McCabe.
A copy of charging documents are below:
