A man accused of assaulting and killing a 70-year-old man at his New Britain home in 2012 has been charged with murder.
Alexis Rodriguez, 32, of New Britain, was arrested Tuesday morning in connection with the homicide of 70-year-old James Joseph, Sr.
Police said Rodriguez has a child with Joseph's daughter and has been behind bars since three days after the 2012 attack for violating a protective order that forbid him from seeing her.
Joseph was found suffering from severe head injuries while authorities investigated a robbery at 548 South Main Street in New Britain the morning of May 13, 2012.
Joseph was interviewed briefly and was taken to an area trauma center, where his condition deteriorated. He died four days later.
Family members said Joseph was returning from the Valero gas station, where he filled up every Sunday, when he was attacked.
According to police, Joseph was struck in the head several times with a blunt object. His neck was also broken and his spinal cord was damaged.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Joseph’s death a homicide.
Police obtained a warrant for Rodriguez's arrest Feb. 28 and served it Tuesday morning.
Rodriguez appeared in court this afternoon and was held on a $1 million bond. He's due back in court March 31.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call the New Britain Police Department at 860-826-3134 or 860-826-3120.
