Brownsville man dies following beating
A Brownsville man could be facing homicide charges after a man he allegedly attacked last month died Thursday.
Brownsville police said John Godines, 35, was charged before Magisterial District Judge Dwight K. Shaner with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct after he attacked John Eicholtz, 75, also of Brownsville, outside at a residence on High Street on Nov. 15.
Officials from the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office confirmed Friday morning that Eicholtz had died.
Fayette County District Attorney Jack R. Heneks Jr. said that an autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death and that pending the results, charges against Godines could be amended to include homicide.
“We are continuing to investigate, and at this point we are going to wait and see results of the autopsy and other test results before we make a determination in this case,” Heneks said.
Police said found Eicholtz suffering injuries to his face and head the night of the beating.
He was taken by ambulance to Monongahela Valley Hospital in Carroll Township for treatment and later moved to UPMC-Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh for additional care.
Police said they secured a warrant for Godines’ arrest on Nov. 21 and took him into custody without incident.
According to investigators, the assault was the result of a bizarre love triangle in which Godines believed Eicholtz was sleeping with his girlfriend, who is in her 20s.
Additionally, much of the assault was captured on video surveillance from a nearby business, police said.
Godines was placed in Fayette County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bond following his arraignment.
A preliminary hearing for Godines will be held at a later date before Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino Jr.