Four suspects have been arrested for the assault of a 35-year-old man, who passed away in the hospital this morning as a result of his injuries, according to an official press release from the Roseville Police Department.
Charles David Waldecker, 24, of Roseville; Matthew Russell Alfonso, 29, of Roseville; Ninah Tyneil Winnie, 36, of Atwater; and Joseph Alan Ray Smith, 30, of Roseville, were reportedly all arrested at the scene of the assault on April 24 and are currently being held in the Placer County Jail without bail.
Matthew Russell Alfonso
The suspects were reportedly originally arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and conspiracy. However, following the death this morning, April 29, 2014, of the victim — Josef Martin Graven, 35 — the Placer County DA’s Office has reportedly confirmed they will be amending the defendants’ attempted murder charges to murder, according to Dee Dee Gunther, public information officer for the Roseville Police Department.
Ninah Tyneil Winnie
According to Roseville PD, at 8:04 am on Thursday, April 24, 2014, officers responded to Saugstad Park, 100 Buljan Drive, to a report that a group of people were beating a man. The people involved were reportedly part of a group of transients gathered at the park waiting for a regularly scheduled free breakfast served by a local charity.
Upon arrival, officers reportedly found the victim — later identified as Graven — unconscious on the ground with severe injuries from a beating, as well as a second victim — suspect Charles Waldecker — who had a stab wound in his back. Both men were reportedly transported to the hospital via an ambulance. Waldecker was reportedly treated at the hospital and released into the custody of police.
Joseph Alan Ray Smith
Officers reportedly learned that Waldecker had been in a dispute with Graven over the past few days over property that he believed Graven had stolen from him. They reportedly got into a fight at the park over the issue, and Graven allegedly stabbed Waldecker, causing a minor wound. Waldecker and the three other defendants are then reportedly suspected of attacking Graven and beating him until he lost consciousness.
Read More:
Sacramento Bee: Homeless man beaten at Roseville park dies of injuries
ABC10: Homeless man attacked at Roseville park dies, 4 under arrest
KCRA: Man attacked at Roseville food handout dies days later
