JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) — Two men accused in the October beating death of a Jonesboro man now face upgraded charges.
Prosecutors said Wednesday that the men are charged with second-degree murder, a more serious charge than the manslaughter counts they originally faced.
The Jonesboro Sun reports 47-year-old William Horton died Oct. 21, five days after he was found in front of the residence of 23-year-old Tyrone Lamont Hall.
Hall and 22-year-old Doreus Lamar "Rat" McKinney both face second-degree murder charges.
McKinney pleaded not guilty on Wednesday. Hall is serving a five-year prison sentence for a parole violation. He is to be arraigned on Jan. 9.
Police say about 10 witnesses saw the incident in which Horton was beaten. He was found bleeding from his mouth, nose and the back of his head.
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