A 62-year-old died 4 months after assault. Columbus man now charged with murder.

A 31-year-old man charged with aggravated battery in a 2019 case is now being charged with murder.

The charge relates to an incident on July 1, 2019, in Columbus, police said Thursday in Recorder’s Court.

Raymond LaPlante, 62, was assaulted on the 2800 block of Ramsey Road and as a result of the incident developed a brain hemorrhage. He was first rushed to the Piedmont Columbus Regional emergency room, before later being transferred to the Columbus Specialty Hospital.

He remained on life support at the hospital until his family signed a “do not resuscitate” order, according to a coroner’s report. He died on Nov. 11, 2019.

LaPlante never regained speaking abilities, according to police testimony.

Byrd was arrested in July 2019 on an aggravated battery charge. Attorney Stacey Jackson is representing him on the new charge.

No further details about the incident were provided in court.

Judge Julius Hunter bound the case over to Muscogee Superior Court.

To read more about the Columbus area homicides in 2019, click here.