Baltimore police arrested a 23-year-old South Baltimore resident yesterday and charged him with first-degree murder in the 1998 death of a 78-year-old man who was beaten during a robbery and died nearly two weeks later in a hospital.
Police said last night that they also are seeking another man in the death of John Johnson of the 2100 block of Whistler Ave.
Christopher Schlick of the 1700 block of Spence St. was arrested about noon yesterday, police said.
Homicide Detective Irvin Bradley said Johnson was beaten during a robbery at his home May 21, 1998, by men seeking his prescription drugs and money.
Johnson "was reluctant to give up the money and he was beaten," Bradley said.
Johnson called a relative after the robbery and went to Harbor Hospital Center, Bradley said. But neither Johnson nor relatives reported the crime to police, he said.
While Johnson was recovering from the beating at the hospital, he slipped, broke his hip and then suffered a stroke, Bradley said.
Johnson died June 3, 1998, Bradley said.
Johnson's brother sent the body to a funeral home, where someone called the state medical examiner's office suggesting that an autopsy be performed, Bradley said.
The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide Aug. 26, 1998, Bradley said.
Anyone with information about the case should call homicide detectives at 410-396-2100.
